16.05.2025,
Hyderabad.
To,
Justice Shameem Akhter,
Chairperson, Telangana State Human Rights Commission
Hyderabad
Sir,
The Human Rights Forum (HRF) extends warm wishes to you on assuming charge as Chairperson, Telangana Human Rights Commission.
HRF is a non-political, non-funded citizens’ voluntary body. It was established with the objective of protecting Constitutionally guaranteed and internationally recognized rights of the people.
The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), a statutory body, stands at the forefront of safeguarding, protecting and promoting human rights of the common citizens across Telangana State by safeguarding liberties, advocating for justice and fostering a culture of respect for human rights. The SHRC not only protects individuals but also strengthens the foundations of democracy.
Our Forum has been closely associated with the SHRC since its inception. Over the years we were able to protect the rights of citizens by taking the help of the Commission. As a human rights body working closely with the people at the grassroot level, we wish to place before the Commission a few issues:
Regretfully, the Commission has on several occasions in the past lost focus and started admitting each and every grievance of a citizen – be it a builder not sticking to his schedule of building a flat, a private managements’ harassment of a teacher, an employee failing to get his increment, a citizen getting huge power bill etc. The SHRC is not an administrative apparatus that settles grievances. But unfortunately, notices are given and replies sought, with sometimes the other side appearing and proffering explanations in a casual manner. There was an instance where the Commission has performed a ‘love marriage’ in the Court Hall when a young couple approached the Commission with a fear for their lives. Instead of informing the matter to the police and ensuring the couple appropriate security, they were allowed to exchange garlands in the Commission precincts! There was an instance in the past when the Chairperson of the Commission visited an apartment to settle a dispute in respect of a flat.
Successive governments have fostered a culture of police impunity that mitigates against the Constitutional guarantee of Right to Life. For instance, monetary benefits were awarded and auxiliary promotions given to police personnel who had committed extra judicial killings. This is a very serious matter that needs to be reined in. We wish to point out that the police also routinely violate arrest procedures, hold suspects in illegal custody beyond permissible limits and resort to custodial torture. Members of Denotified Tribes are particularly vulnerable to this high handedness and are often held in illegal detention for days on end and abused.
As you are aware, following an amendment to Section 176 (1A) of CrPC in 2005, all custodial deaths ought to be inquired into by a Judicial Magistrate or Metropolitan Magistrate rather than an Executive Magistrate. However, enquiries in the State continue to be held by RDOs. This is legally impermissible. Also, compensation to families of victims of custodial deaths are rare. In cases of atrocities under the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, hardly any compensation has been recommended.
A very serious lacunae is that there is no independent investigation mechanism available to the Commission to look into complaints against police and other State instrumentalities.
There have also not been adequate efforts to develop awareness among citizens about human rights by the holding of seminars and workshops. We do hope the Commission will in future seek to perpetuate a culture of human rights across the State. Seminars ought to be conducted, among others, in educational institutions and the Police Academy.
HRF will continue to approach the Commission, submit petitions on issues of violation of rights and will, as before, continue to guide citizens on how to seek redress from the SHRC.
Yours truly,
S Jeevan Kumar (HRF AP&TG Co-ordination Committee member)
M Suresh Babu (HRF Hyderabad City Unit president)
Syed Bilal (HRF Hyderabad City Unit vice-president)
Sanjeev Kumar (HRF Hyderabad City Unit general secretary)
Dr. S Thirupataiah (HRF Telangana State general secretary)