[Torture of ex-Army officer] Uttar Pradesh govt continuously showing inaction against prima facie shameful act: Allahabad High Court

The Uttar Pradesh government is continuously showing inaction against the prima facie shameful act of local police allegedly torturing a former Indian Army soldier, the Allahabad High Court observed (Resham Singh v. State of UP)..A Division bench of Justices Surya Prakash Kesarwani and Piyush Agrawal, took a dim view of State's response on the allegations made by the petitioner Sardar Resham Singh that he was subject to brutal assault by the police."We are constrained to observe that State Government is continuously showing inaction against the prima facie shameful act of the local policeman. Prevailing situation cannot be tolerated. However, today we are adjourning the case on the request made on behalf of the Advocate General," the Court observed in an order passed on July 22..The Court examined the records of the case and the previous orders, along with the supplementary affidavit filed by the State before adjourning the case on request by the government lawyer. ."Due to some personal difficulty the learned Advocate General is not able to argue through video conferencing," the Court noted in its order while posting the case for further hearing on July 27. ."Very sorry state of affairs:" Allahabad High Court directs DGP to file personal affidavit on former soldier's plea alleging torture by UP Police.Earlier, the Court had said that the allegations raised by the petitioner are very serious and reflects a "very sorry" state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh."First information Reports prima facie, shows a very sorry state of affairs and police atrocities," the Court had observed in an order passed on July 8. The Court had therefore asked the Director General of Police to file a personal affidavit and while the Advocate General was asked to assist the Court in the matter..The plea by Singh alleged that he was humiliated and brutally tortured by the Uttar Pradesh Police.As per the petition, he was travelling along with his mother and two sisters from Pilibhit to Lakhim Pur Kheri on May 3 to offer their last respect to the brother-in-law of Sardar Resham Singh who had passed away on May 2.On the way, they were stopped by the police officials who enquired about their purpose of travel.Singh, therefore, started sorting out documents asked by police officials when they "instantaneously started abusing him and his family members," the plea alleged.The policemen then started brutally beating Sardar Resham Singh and his mother and sisters with sticks, fists, the plea contended."Not only did the Police officials beat the victim, but they also abused him and his religious beliefs, to the extent that the victim was humiliated and petrified and persecuted by the officials. The Officials even removed the Turban of the victim," Singh's plea said.."The brutal attack and torture of an innocent army veteran is an insult to each and every personnel of the Armed Forces who has put his life on the line for the nation. If such is the treatment given to our retired veterans' then what would be the condition of a common man," the petitioner submitted..[Read order]