New Delhi, April 8 The NHRC said on Wednesday that it has issued a notice to the Gujarat police chief over reports that a journalist was allegedly detained last month by police authorities in an unlawful manner and also subjected to "physical torture".
The journalist was allegedly stripped, suspended, and subjected to physical torture, resulting in serious injuries, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said in a statement quoting reports.
The rights panel said it has taken "suo motu cognisance" of a media report that on March 22, a journalist was "detained unlawfully by the Rajkot Crime Branch police in Gujarat".
The police reportedly attempted to "intimidate" the staff at the Rajkot Civil Hospital against admitting the victim, it said in a statement.
He was also threatened that "false criminal charges" would be filed against him and that his house would be demolished, the NHRC said, quoting the reports.
The Commission has observed that, if true, the content of the media report raises a serious issue of violation of the journalist's human rights.
Therefore, it has issued a notice to the Gujarat DGP, seeking a detailed report in two weeks, including the current status of the investigation and the health of the victim.
According to the news report, carried on March 29, the journalist operates an online media outlet. The report has also revealed extensive details of the "injuries he sustained due to the alleged torture", it said.
He was admitted to the Rajkot Civil Hospital on March 23, the statement added.