NHRC notices to the Delhi Government and the Delhi Police Commissioner over the reported death of an inmate after beating by his fellow inmates at a De-addiction Centre

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suomotu cognizance of a media report that in a fight among fellow inmates of a De-addiction Centre in Sonia Vihar, Delhi, one of the inmates was so badly beaten up in the presence of the Floor Manager that he had to be hospitalized by his family members where he succumbed to his injuries. The incident happened on 2nd June, 2023.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a serious issue of violation of human rights. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. It should also include the status of the FIR registered by the police, action taken against the guilty including the management of the centre as well as compensation, if any has been paid to the Next of Kin of the deceased inmate. The Commission would also like to know whether the owner/management has obtained the requisite permission from the authorities concerned to run a De-addiction centre.

The Commission has further observed that several incidents have been reported in the recent past wherein inmates staying at the De-addiction Centreshave been beaten to death. It has taken cognizance of some such incidents on the bast of media reports and sought reports from the authorities in the centre and states.

It has also noticed that reportedly most of the De-addiction centres are running in unlawful manner in the Delhi-NCR region without proper permission by the concerned authorities, having no adequate infrastructure and expertise, which is a matter of concern.

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