The Police Reform Commission has recommended identifying and prosecuting police personnel responsible for the killing and injury of students and civilians during the July-August uprising, ensuring accountability through appropriate legal channels.
In a report addressing human rights concerns, the commission emphasised reforms to enhance transparency, accountability and public trust in policing.
Key recommendations include ensuring the presence of an executive magistrate, local government representative or dignitary during night-time house searches and strictly monitoring the registration of cases, First Information Reports (FIRs) and investigations by the circle officer or superintendent of police.
The report stressed that individuals not named in an FIR should only be arrested with a court order based on the case diary.
It further proposed that if a charge sheet is filed against a non-resident/dead/innocent citizen in a fake case, it will be mandatory to take disciplinary action against the concerned investigating officer.
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The commission also highlighted the need to eliminate the practice of filing cases against "unknown accused" and taking legal action against police officers who intentionally harass individuals. Additionally, no individual should be publicly presented to the media as a criminal until proven guilty through due process.
The Police Reforms Commission strongly recommended that the National Human Rights Commission be empowered to take all direct steps to investigate allegations of human rights violations by members of law enforcement agencies.
If allegations of human rights violations arise involving law enforcement agencies, the head of the respective agency can independently initiate an investigation. The commission also proposed for a human rights cell for the concerned agency’s head office.
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Besides, in case of violation of human rights by the police through violation of the constitution, various laws and High Court directives, a new helpline can be launched or such actions can be included in the service of emergency helpline (999), it mentioned.
The commission advised formulating a protection law for victims and witnesses to foster people-friendly policing and enhance accountability. It also called for a re-evaluation of the necessity of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) by reviewing its history and allegations of human rights violations.