Chandigarh: The Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO) has expressed concern over the suspicious death of BSF jawan Jaswinder Singh in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), calling it a serious case of human rights violation and alleged custodial torture.
In a joint statement, PHRO members, including Justice Ranjit Singh, Dr Pyara Lal Garg and senior advocate Rajvinder Singh Bains, demanded a high-level judicial inquiry. They questioned the procedure followed by authorities, stating that the jawan was arrested in Jammu and brought to Amritsar without properly informing the family about the reasons for his detention.
The organisation said the allegations made by the family regarding physical assault and mental harassment are extremely serious. It added that such treatment of a person serving the nation is unacceptable in any civilised society.
PHRO also raised concerns over the silence of NCB officials and the lack of communication with the family, stating that it creates suspicion around the case.
The group has demanded that the inquiry be conducted under the supervision of a sitting High Court judge to ensure transparency. It further said that if the postmortem report confirms torture, a case under Section 302 (murder) should be registered against the concerned officials.
The organisation also called for videography of the postmortem process, examination by a panel of expert doctors, compensation to the family, and dignified transportation of the body to the native place.
The case has intensified concerns over custodial accountability and the protection of human rights in enforcement actions.
