Annual Report 1999-2000
iv. Consider provision of separate STD/ISD booths for use by the foreign detenues.
V. Establish MI Room ^s'here a doctor and para-medical staff are available round-theclock for medical cover.
vi. Issue proper instructions to ensure regular visits by senior officers to this detention
centre.
The Commission also directed the PrincipalHome Secretary; Secretary and Director, Social
Welfare Department; and the Foreigners RegionalRegistration Officer of theDelhiAdministration
to visit the Lampur Seva Sadan andwork out aproper strategy for bringing about ameliorative
changes not only for the foreign detenues, but also for the institutions for beggars located in
the campus. The Commission has received a compliance report.
Harassment of denotified and nomadic tribals belonging to the Pardhis
community in Bighwan village, Pune, Maharashtra
(Case No. 512/13/98-99)
Shri G.N. Devy, Secretary, Denotified and Nomadic Tribals Rights Action Group, Vadodara,
Gujarat, submitted a complaint to the Commission alleging atrocities on the Pardhis
community, a denodfied community of tribals living in the backwaters on the banks of
the Ujni Dam, Bighwan viUage, Taluk Indiapur, Pune, Maharashtra, by persons in plain
clothes serving in the Railway Police on 12 July 1998. It was further alleged that their
houses, fishing nets, boats and other materials were biomt. The police had also beaten
up the women of the community, including pregnant women, and had attempted rape
on tsvo teenaged girls.
On consideration of the reports of the investigation team of the Commission and the
Superintendent of Police, Railways, Pune, the Commission found that the police report
sent by the SP Railways, Pune, also corroborated the report of tlie Commission's
investigation team, which conclusively established that the Police Anti-Dacoity Team, in
their zeal to nab male Pardhis who were alleged to have been involved in committing
crimes of theft, dacoity, etc. had tortured four innocent women and molested t\vo young
women—one ofthem a teenager. The evidence also established that several huts belonging
to the tribals, and their fishing nets had been destroyed. The investigation team had
estimated damage amounting to Rs. 10,000/- in respect of each family. In addition,
innocent women had suffered trauma and torture. The high-handedness and misconduct
of the police officials was unbecoming of their profession. The evidence on record
indicated that the police had behaved in a shocking and brutal manner.
In vie\v of the facts and circumstances, the Commission recommended: a) of the four
women victims, namely, Smt Shalan Pratap Kale, Smt Manda Latif, Kumari Jyoti and
Smt Alka Chandrasal Kale, the first three be paid Rs. 1 lakh each and Smt Alka Chandrasal
' Kale, Rs. 1,50,000/- as immediate interim relief; (b) a sum of Rs. 10,000/- may be paid to
each of the families of the Bzrdhis \vhose huts, utensils and fishing nets were destroyed, as
compensation by way of'immediate interim relief; (c) in case a charge-sheet had not yet
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