DHNS

Bangalore Oct 16: Cases of detention have, on many occasions, tarnished the image of City police. But this time, the police are on the dock not just for detaining a couple without proper records, but also raping the woman inside the police station.

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Friday October 12 wrote a letter to the City police commissioner based on a statement given by an undertrial prisoner that she was sexually assaulted by a police constable while in judicial custody.

The Commission has recorded the statement of Asha and her husband Niteesh (names changed) at the Central prison at Parapanna Agrahara that she was raped by constable C C Basavaraj of Koramangala police station while in custody.

"We had earlier visited the police station where they were lodged and found that there were no records of their arrest or detention. This is the third such instance of illegal detention in police stations," said Justice S R Nayak, chairperson, SHRC.

According to rules, an accused cannot be detained for more than 24 hours in police custody. He has to be produced before a judicial magistrate within 24 hours of arrest.

Addressing media persons in Bangalore on Monday, Justice Nayak said the couple told them that they were "illegally" kept at the Koramangala police station for almost a week. "They also alleged torture by the cops.

Basavaraj tried to befriend and help them and even offered them good food at the police station. After that he separated the husband and wife and allegedly raped Asha in the police station. We recorded the statement of the couple and Dr Shashikala, medical officer, Central prison, Parappana Agrahara and we have sent it along with a letter recommending a criminal complaint against Basavaraj and a probe into the case," added Justice Nayak.

"We had also sent two complaints of illegal detention of people in Nandini Layout and Halasur police stations, but the police bosses are sitting on them. Illegal detention is Constitutional blasphemy. Such officers should not be allowed to hold office," he added.

The SHRC has received 240 complaints so far, since its inception. Along with Commission members, Justice Nayak will leave for Chikmagalur on Tuesday to investigate into the recent police ‘encounter’ in which some Dalits, alleged to be Naxalites, were killed.