Annual Report 2013-14 personnel. He alleged that H.R.Barot who was then posted as Commandant of the 12th Battalion of SSB stationed at Valmikinagar was encouraging smuggling activities across the border. A consignment of fertilizers which was being smuggled from India to Nepal under the direction of Shri Barot was intercepted by the villagers. The son of the complainant volunteered to be a prosecution witness in that case. Shri Barot tried to dissuade him and threatened him with dire consequence. On 15 November 2008 at about 09.00 p.m., a contingent of SSB led by Shri Barot and two forest officials raided his house in Piprakothi and dragged out his son Gaurav. He was given a severe beating and taken away. He succumbed to the injuries inflicted by SSB personnel. 4.81 As per reports received in response to Commission’s notice, aninformation was received regarding illegal collection of jungle wood by Gaurav Verma. On receipt of the information, a search party of SSB along with two forest officials raided the house of Gaurav at village Piprakothi. During the search, 121 numbers of wooden planks were found which were seized by SSB and forest officials. During the search operation, Gaurav Verma started vomiting and had loose motions and he was immediately shifted to Primary Health Centre, Valmikinagar. The PHC doctor examined him and suspecting consumption of poison, referred him to Bagaha hospital. Gaurav Verma collapsed on the way to Bagaha. Suman Verma, father of the deceased lodged an FIR at Police Station Valmikinagar against H.R.Barot, Commandant and other SSB personnel vide crime No.53/2008 u/s 302/120B IPC. The Investigating Officer found the allegations made in the FIR to be true. 4.82 The District Magistrate, West Champaran submitted a report stating that Gaurav Kumar Verma had not died of poisoning and his death had occurred due to severe beating in custody. 4.83 It was noticed that Shri H. R. Barot, Commandant, 12th Battalion, SSB sent an application to the Director General, SSB and alleged that some local people whose illegal activities had been checked by SSB were trying to influence the investigation of the case. Thereupon, Director General, SSB wrote to the Director General of Police, Bihar requesting that the case be transferred to State CID for impartial and unbiased investigation. The case was again looked into by the Deputy Inspector General, Champaran Range. The Deputy Inspector General noted the contents of the inquest report and the post mortem report. It was mentioned in the inquest report that the nails of the left foot and left hand were in damaged condition. The post mortem report also mentioned injuries on head, right hand and back. Blood mixed froth was seen in the nose, mouth and central cyanosis. The doctor opined that the death had occurred due to asphyxia resulting from respiratory embarrassment. No evidence of loose motion or vomiting was found. After thorough enquiry, Deputy Inspector General, Champaran Range concluded that Gaurav Verma had been subjected to third degree torture and he had died as a result of torture. 42 | NHRC