Telangana rights panel seeks reports on two alleged torture cases involving women

The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has taken cognizance of two separate incidents of alleged torture of women after videos of both surfaced online, and has sought detailed reports from the authorities concerned.

In the first case, an elderly woman was allegedly subjected to severe physical torture in Jinkalagudem village in Bhadradri Kothagudem district on the suspicion that she was possessed by an evil spirit. The incident is said to have occurred in July, but the video came to light only on Sunday.

Taking note of the footage on Tuesday, TGHRC chairperson Dr Justice Shameem Akther observed that nails were placed under the woman's hands and feet and she was made to stand on them, and that she was repeatedly beaten until she became extremely weak and lost consciousness. The woman was reportedly taken to an isolated agricultural field, made to climb a tree and allegedly beaten with whips.

The Commission observed that, if found true, the incident raises serious concerns regarding the right to life, dignity and protection of the victim from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. It has called for a detailed report from the District Collector of Bhadradri Kothagudem on the incident, the victim's present condition and medical treatment, the action taken against those allegedly involved, and the preventive measures put in place to avoid a recurrence.

In the second case, the Commission acted on an online complaint by an activist alleging that a policeman assaulted a woman and dragged her by her hair near Hafeezpet Railway Station in Secunderabad on September 18.

Cyberabad Police arrested K Anand, a Telangana State Police Home Guard on deputation at the railway station. He allegedly assaulted the woman, a ragpicker, after she abused him. In the video that went viral, he is purportedly seen kicking and dragging her by her hair. Anand was dismissed from service and subsequently arrested.

The Commission has directed the authorities to submit a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, on the allegations and the action taken in the matter.