3 weeks ago
Maharashtra human rights commission raps Pune police over Singhamgiri reels
There is a group in India called the Maharashtra Human Rights Commission, and its job is to protect people's rights.
The group saw videos on social media of police officers making people do sit-ups as punishment.
The videos were watched by many people and became very popular.
Police officers were visible in the videos while a song from a movie played in the background.
The commission said police are not allowed to punish people by themselves.
Only a judge and a court can decide whether someone has done something wrong.
Punishing people without a trial is against the law and hurts their rights.
The commission asked the police to explain what happened and to send a report.
The police chief said officers who behaved badly will be held responsible and will be given training.
The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) pulled up Pune police over the 'Singhamgiri culture' of viral reels showing accused persons doing sit-ups and apologising for alleged crimes.
The full bench directed that a fact-finding report be submitted within a week and sought action-taken reports from the state Chief Secretary and the DGP.
The commission said Senior Police Inspector Girisha Nimbalkar acted as both investigator and judge by imposing sit-up punishments, removing silencers and crushing them under a road roller without an FIR, trial or court order.
It was the second such instance in two days; on Monday the commission took cognisance of a video showing three minor murder accused tied to a police vehicle bonnet and forced to kneel and walk.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said responsibility will be fixed on the officers involved and sensitisation programmes will be carried out.
- Who
- The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) full bench, chaired by Justice A M Badar, and Pune police officers including Senior Police Inspector Girisha Nimbalkar, whose viral 'Singhamgiri' reels drew the criticism.
- What
- The MSHRC pulled up Pune police for the 'Singhamgiri culture' of viral reels showing accused persons performing sit-ups and apologising, calling it a blatant violation of human rights, and ordered a fact-finding report.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India — specifically around Pune's Kalepadal Police Station.
- When
- Tuesday, one day after the commission took cognisance of a related video on Monday; a similar 'walk of shame' trend was reported in April.
- Why
- Because the commission said police imposed street-level punishments without an FIR, trial or court order, violating Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution and normalising police brutality.
Human rights critics
Police perspective
Viral sit-up reels
Human rights critics
The MSHRC says the reels are a blatant violation of human rights in which police act as investigator and judge, imposing physical punishment and destroying property without an FIR or court order.
Police perspective
The officer reportedly framed the activity as part of an anti-noise and anti-pollution traffic safety drive targeting modified silencers, and the DGP's office says no instructions were issued to create such reels.
Where responsibility lies
Human rights critics
The commission found that repeated instances pointed to failure or negligence on the part of senior Pune police officers in protecting the human rights of suspects and accused.
Police perspective
The DGP's office said the practice is discouraged and no instructions were issued, while the Pune Police Commissioner has promised to fix responsibility and run sensitisation programmes.
Key facts
- Commission
- Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC)
- Bench
- Chairperson Justice A M Badar; members Justice Swapna Joshi and retired IPS officer Sanjay Kumar
- Officer criticised
- Senior Police Inspector Girisha Nimbalkar, Kalepadal Police Station
- Practice criticised
- 'Singhamgiri culture' — viral reels of accused doing sit-ups and apologising
- Constitutional articles cited
- Articles 19 and 21
- Orders issued
- Fact-finding report within one week; affidavits from the Chief Secretary and DGP
- Fact-finding committee
- Led by MSHRC Special IG Datta Karale
- Police response
- Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar promised to fix responsibility and run sensitisation programmes
Quotes
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar
Commissioner of Pune police
“"Responsibility will be fixed on the officers who have indulged in this behaviour and sensitisation programmes will be carried out to ensure they don’t behave in this manner. They have been asked to minutely follow the law and human rights guidelines in all cases."”
indianexpress.com
Full bench of MSHRC
Chairperson Justice A M Badar, Justice Swapna Joshi and retired IPS officer Sanjay Kumar
“"Mere glance at the stills from the video clip… makes it clear that Pune Police are unstoppable in ‘Singhamgiri’ culture, showing total disregard to the rule of law."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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