Jaipur: Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission (RSHRC) Tuesday took cognisance of the alleged custodial death of a 16-year-old boy in Jaipur and directed senior Jaipur police and administrative officials to preserve and produce CCTV footage of Muhana police station, besides submitting a factual report on the incident.The order was passed on Oct 6 by its chairman Justice G R Moolchandani. The commission directed Jaipur police commissioner, Jaipur district magistrate and additional director general of police (Human Rights) to secure the relevant CCTV recordings, keep them in a sealed condition and produce them before the commission. It also sought an immediate factual report and directed that an effective inquiry be conducted by an IPS-rank officer.The matter came before the commission following media reports alleging that Rituraj, who had been brought to Muhana police station in connection with a cheating case, was assaulted and subsequently died during treatment. Reports claimed that he remained on ventilator support before his death. His family allegedly accused police personnel of assault and sought a post-mortem.Police, however, denied assaulting Rituraj and maintained that the alleged beating took place at a hotel. Police also stated that CCTV footage of the incident was available.Taking note of the conflicting accounts, the commission observed that assault of a person in custody cannot be permitted under the rule of law. It noted, “Seriousness of allegations of illegal police conduct and referred to judicial decisions directing registration of FIRs, appropriate action against those responsible and compensation in custodial death cases.”Taking note of the conflicting accounts, the commission observed that assault of a person in custody cannot be permitted under the rule of law. It noted, “Seriousness of allegations of illegal police conduct and referred to judicial decisions directing registration of FIRs, appropriate action against those responsible and compensation in custodial death cases.”
