HC asks government to rely on PIL seeking fast-track courts for police excesses. Allahabad News – Times of India

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file a reply on a PIL seeking setting up of fast-track police courts in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of the alleged custodial death of 22-year-old Altaf. Kasganj police station of the state.
The PIL has suggested that fast-track courts should adjudicate on FIRs, complaints and petitions filed against police officers in cases of custodial torture, death, rape and other such offences. It also called for implementation of various guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in such cases.
The said order was passed by a division bench of Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Piyush Agrawal while hearing a PIL filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).
According to the petitioner, Altaf was called for questioning by the Uttar Pradesh Police and was later found dead at Kotwali in Kasganj district on November 9, 2021.
In the petition, PUCL said that the death of Altaf and such others under suspicious circumstances in police custody would be treated as institutional murder by any person of common conscience.
The PIL has requested the court to direct the Central as well as the State Governments to install CCTV cameras in all police stations across the state of Uttar Pradesh and such other police offices of CBI, NIA etc., as already stated by the Apex. has been directed. Court. It also sought direction to the police officers to be equipped with body-mounted cameras and necessary technology for videography during investigation.
With regard to Altaf’s case, PUCL requested the court to direct the constitution of a high-powered committee headed by a sitting or retired judge of the Allahabad High Court to look into the matter. Further, it requested that the said committee be comprised of all concerned stakeholders and a panel of experts, to provide appropriate recommendations, mechanisms, modalities and guidelines with regard to prosecution and punishment of police. To fill the legal gap. Officers guilty of custodial torture/death/rape.
Besides this, the PIL also requested the court to direct the Director General of Police (DGP), UP, District Magistrate (DM), Kasganj and Superintendent of Police (SP), Kasganj to ensure complete police protection to the bereaved family of Altaf. Gone.