Gujarat DGP directs cops not to parade accused in public

Ahmedabad: Gujarat in charge Director General of Police K L N Rao on Wednesday issued directives to police personnel across the state against publicly parading accused persons, reiterating that such practices violate Supreme Court and Gujarat high court guidelines on the treatment of persons in custody.

Speaking to TOI, Rao said, “I have issued directives with regard to the Supreme Court order in the D K Basu case of 1997 and the 2019 Gujarat high court judgement regarding police action on accused persons. I have issued directives to follow these guidelines.”

The DGP added that compliance with the directives would now be monitored, indicating that the police headquarters would review implementation at the field level. However, he did not comment on recent remarks made by Gujarat deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi regarding public parading of accused persons, many of whom were allegedly seen limping or injured during police processions.

The issue has drawn attention following recent incidents in which accused persons were allegedly marched publicly by police personnel after arrest, raising concerns over custodial dignity and human rights violations.

In the landmark D K Basu judgment delivered in 1997, the Supreme Court laid down detailed guidelines governing arrests and custodial procedures to prevent abuse and custodial torture. Among the directives, the court specifically stated that “the dignity of the person being arrested should be protected” and that public display or parading of arrested persons “should not be permitted at any cost”.

The guidelines also mandate that searches of arrested persons must be conducted respectfully and without aggression, while safeguarding the individual’s privacy and dignity.

The Gujarat high court, in May 2019, had similarly directed the state govt and police authorities to stop humiliating accused persons by parading them in handcuffs or restraints in public places. The order came while hearing a public interest litigation that argued such actions amounted to violations of human rights and constitutional protections.

The high court had then directed the state to strictly implement the Supreme Court guidelines issued in the D K Basu case.