Detention Watch: An initiative for inculcating humane approach towards detainees convicted wrongfully

   

The detention Watch was launched, as an outcome to the series of dialogues with various organizations associated with PVCHR and National Alliance on Testimonial Therapy (NATT). In PVCHR, where its secretariat is housed, the Detention Watch was formally launched with गिरफ़्तारी पर गश्त www.detentionwatch.blogspot.com on 23^rd April, 2011. The objectives of ‘Detention Watch’ is to monitor detention of any type, whether adult or children, are detained be it in - judicial custody, police lock up, custody in remand home or  administrative custody.

Detention Watch is not only raising the issue of detention but also it is keeping an eye on the condition of prisons by using the Right to Information (RTI) Act or other sources. Seeing the pitiful condition of the prison, ‘Detention Watch’ advocates pardon for those convicted for life term. In view of the overcrowded prisons, “Detention Watch’ suggests that only hard-core prisoners be kept in jail. Prisoner nabbed for trivial cases should be released on bail.

The effort put forth by ‘Detention watch’ has brought it limelight as notices served to police authorities such as such as Chief Secretary of the states, Director General of Police (DGP) and Director General of Prison.

As Ram Lal received Rs 10,000 from the police officials in Padri police station, Mirzapur where he was tortured and departmental disciplinary action was initiated against alleged police officials was initiated.

 In the case of Ram Lal Patel the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed the UP Government to disburse Rs. 500,000 (Rupees Five Lakh) as compensation as his brother Santosh Patel was killed in a fake encounter, though a CBCID enquiry is still going on. Even prompt responses were received from the DGP office on the online complaints.

Detention Watch is also making inroads in the conflict region, namely North –East and Kashmir. Recently National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought explanation from J&K police on non-compliance of Commission's guidelines in case of a death in the police custody. As it happened with 28-year old Nazim Rashid of Sopore town, North Kashmir in J& K on 31st July, 2011

 (http://nhrc.nic.in/dispArchive.asp?fno=2359)

It was published first as news in the first paper of Greater Kashmir news. (http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Aug/5/nhrc-seeks-explanation-from-jk-police-85.asp)

In August, 2009 after the intervention by PVCHR 4 innocent young boys (Salam James, Haobijam Nanao, Oinam Somorjit Singh and Nongthoujam Somarjit Singh) and a girl (Bidya Rani) were released in Manipur.