05-West Bengal.pdf - People's watch

FF Code : W.B./MON(S. Mukhtar Ahamed)/
District-North 24 Parganas/Mar–31/03/2008/Sl NO – 117,118
Victim(s) : 1) Prakash Das 2) Biswajit Choudhury
Perpetrator(s) : 1) OIC 2) Sadhan Kumar Ghosh, SI 3) PCs
Location : Bagdah PS, North 24 Parganas
Date of incident : 03/02/2008
Case Details:
Victim Prakash Das, aged 25 is a resident of Jiala village, falling under the jurisdiction of Bagdah Police
Station. On 3 rd February 2008, the victim was arrested by the SI of Bagdah Police Station along with few
other police constables, without issuing a memo of arrest, thereby violating the D.K. Basu Judgment. He
was abused with filthy words and dragged to the police car. On the way the officials stopped the vehicle
near Asaru Bazar and arrested victim Biswajit Choudhary, who was returning home buying goods from
the market. Prakash asked the reason for arrest, for which he was beaten up. Both the victims were
locked up the whole night. On 4 th February 2008 the victims were taken to the hospital and produced
before the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bongaon. On the way to the Court they were
threatened not to open their mouths before the Magistrate. Both were released after paying a fine Rs.80
per head. When inquired with the IO, he stated that the victims were arrested for creating nuisance in the
locality having consumed alcohol.
FF Code : W.B./ MON (Aditi Kar)/
District- Kolkata/ Feb-28/02/2008/Sl.No.-115
Victim(s) : Raben Bairagi
Perpetrator(s) : 1) OIC 2) Police
Location : Kolkata
Date of incident : 20/02/2008
Case Details:
Victim Raben Bairegi, aged 38, is a rag picker residing in Basanti Nagar, Kolkata, falling under the
jurisdiction of Ultadanga Police Station. On 20 th February 2008 the victim was taking rest in a shop,
where the rag pickers usually sold their waste material. Three men came there in civilian attire and
began abusing the rag pickers. All the men hid themselves except Raben, for he had undergone an
operation few weeks back. The victim was arrested for no fault and taken to Belgharia Police Station.
The officials neither issued a memo of arrest nor informed his family members. The officials assured to
set him free the moment his owner arrived. It was a custom that all the owners bribe the police so as to
ensure smooth business. A petty case was filed against Raben. The officials themselves took the victim
to the hospital and while returning they brought liquor from a shop so as to drink it in the station. The OIC
who arrived late commanded the officials to book the victim under a gambling case. Finally Raben was
granted bail but he couldn’t come out as he had no money. On 21 st February 2008 the victim was taken
to Barrackpore Court, and released from the court lock up itself without being produced before the
magistrate.
West Bengal
463
Annual Report on Torture
2007