On 26.04.2013, Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against the death of Shebaram Reang (23), s/o Sotrogun Reang due to alleged torture in the custody of Mizoram Police and India Reserve Police at Kanhmun police station in Mamit district, Mizoram on 20.04.2013.
The NHRC registered the complaint (10/16/7/2013-AD) and directed its Director General (Investigation) to collect facts and requisite reports from the concerned authorities. Later, the matter was placed before the Division Bench of the NHRC as it relates to alleged death in police custody due to torture.
The deceased, a resident of Gungajoy Para village under Damcherra police station in North Tripura District of Tripura, was arrested by Mizoram Police and India Reserve Police personnel headed by Officer In-Charge of Kanhmun Police Station, Mizoram on 09.04.2013 in connection with a Rs.1000 dacoity case which occurred on 06.04.2013 at Moroicherra village, Zawlnuam police station, Mamit District, Mizoram. The deceased was arrested after the arrest of one Mizo identified as Kertea Chorai of Khawdungsei in North Tripura district who was involved in the incident.
On 20.04.2013, the dead body of Shebaram Reang was found in the jungle inside Tripura hanging with clothes along with Police handcuffs on his both arms.
Among others, ACHR urged the NHRC to direct the State Government to compensate the deceased’s family members and appropriate action against the guilty police personnel.
On 14.12.2017, the NHRC issued a show cause notice u/s 18 of the PHR Act, 1993 to the Government of Mizoram through its Chief Secretary requiring it to show cause within six weeks as to why an amount of Rs. 300,000 as monetary compensation should not be recommended to be paid to the next of kin of the deceased, Shebaram Reang. The Director General of Police (DGP), Tripura was also directed to submit the outcome of case FIR No. 05/2013 u/s 302/304 IPC registered at Damchera police station in North Tripura and investigated by CID Tripura within six weeks.
However, both the Chief Secretary, Government of Mizoram and the DGP, Tripura failed to reply to the show cause notice. The NHRC again issued show cause notice to Chief Secretary, Mizoram and DGP, Tripura on 30.01.2018 and 31.01.2018 respectively, which again remained unanswered.
As no report is forthcoming, the NHRC in its latest proceedings dated 04.04.2018 issued reminder to the Chief Secretary, and DGP, Tripura to submit their response within four weeks.
The case is pending final adjudication.
