National SC Commission issues notice to Telangana after Dalit woman dies in custody

Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service
Hyderabad, June 24

Taking strong notice of the death of a Dalit woman in police custody due to alleged police torture, National Commission for Scheduled Castes on the orders of its Chairman Vijay Sampla has issued notice to the Telangana government.

As per the information available with NCSC, a Dalit woman, Mariamma, a cook in a house, was arrested along with her son Uday Kiran on the complaint of theft filed by the owner, and died in lockup of Addagudur police station in Bhongir district due to alleged police torture.

Mariamma was allegedly beaten for four days at various places on her body and in the presence of her daughter. Mariamma’s daughter requested the police not to beat her mother and the victim died in the hands of her daughter, as per the reports.

NCSC has issued a notice to Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police district Bhongir, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police Telangana asking them to submit within seven days, the facts and information on the action taken on the allegations.

Sampla cautioned the officers that if action taken report is not received within the stipulated time, then the commission would exercise the powers of the civil courts conferred on it under article 338 of the Constitution of India and issue summons for personal appearance before the commission in Delhi.

“As chairman I am duty-bound to secure the rights of Scheduled Castes and ensure that they get justice in all respects,” concluded Sampla.