The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal government to file a report on allegations that extortion accused were paraded with ropes tied around their waists after their arrest. The Court stressed that police must act strictly according to law and ensure that no person is subjected to humiliation.
The Calcutta High Court instructed the West Bengal government to submit a report regarding allegations that some arrested individuals accused of involvement in extortion were paraded with ropes tied to their waists.
A division bench led by Justice Jay Sengupta said police must act strictly in accordance with the law, and that no accused should be subjected to humiliation.
The PILs claimed that police personnel, at various locations across West Bengal, allegedly paraded people who had been arrested on different charges, including extortion and intimidation.
The vacation bench ordered the state government to file its report within three weeks. The court also directed that the PILs would be listed for further hearing after four weeks.
Earlier, an incident was reported from Howrah, where district police allegedly paraded an accused, Akash Singh, through the streets while he was reportedly dressed only in a vest and shorts during an exercise described as a crime scene reconstruction.
The allegations have also drawn attention from the Human Rights Commission. During the proceedings, the Commission told the Court that it has already registered a formal complaint and commenced an independent probe into the alleged misconduct by police personnel.
Legal experts note that the Supreme Court of India has issued clear directions against any degrading or inhumane treatment of individuals in custody.
They added that publicly parading detainees particularly while using restraints such as ropes or handcuffs is generally impermissible, except in rare and exceptional situations.
Critics contend that such actions amount to public shaming and reflect a serious departure from the rule of law, arguing that the power to punish rests with the judiciary and not with the police.