The chairperson of Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) said that torture suffered by K Lakshmana was evidence of the sorry state of affairs in the country.
MUMBAI: In a one-page notice, the chairperson of Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC), Justice Khsitij R Vyas, said that the mental agony and torture suffered by K Lakshmana — a Bangalore IT professional who was forced to spend 50 days jail even though he was innocent — being put in jail by the Pune police was evidence of the sorry state of affairs in a country where every citizen has a right to live, move and breath freely.
These rights cannot be taken away at whim or in a careless manner as has been done in the present case, added Justice Vyas. "We are living in democracy where rule of law prevails. There is no place for jungle raj where anybody can be picked up and put behind bars. The fact that Lakshmana's bail was refused by the Court would suggest the manner in which police collected materials against him with the sole object to brand him as accused." Meanwhile, in Bangalore, Lakshmana said he had been overwhelmed by the support following the publication of the article. In fact, the entire family has made plans to leave on a pilgrimage as an act of thanksgiving. Lakshamana said that his "pains and emotions" had been communicated to the readers at large and felt gratified that his innocence had been proved.