Expressing concern over parading accused persons in public with ropes tied around their waists, the Calcutta High Court on Friday (June 5, 2026) said the State has the authority to arrest and prosecute individuals but cannot subject them to humiliation.
“You may arrest them, you may prosecute them but you cannot humiliate them,” said a Vacation Bench led by Justice Joy Sengupta and Justice Smita Das De.
There have been several reports of accused persons being paraded not just with ropes but also in vest and underwear in Howrah, Kolkata and other parts of the State. The arrests, mostly of accused against whom several allegations of extortion have been made, have taken place after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the State. Most of those subjected to such treatment have several allegations against them and are perceived to be close to the Trinamool Congress.
During the hearing of a plea challenging such behaviour meted out to the accused, the court said the police cannot deliberately defame the accused in the name of arrest.
“The police... can take action according to the law. If found guilty, they can also hang him. But they cannot deliberately defame the accused in the name of arrest,” the court observed. Questioning the circumstances under which the police are resorting to such a practice, the court has sought a report from the State. The case will be heard again after four weeks. The government informed the court that the individuals are mainly accused of extortion and they are being taken to the spot to reconstruct the crime.
The Association of Protection of Democratic Rights, in a letter to the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, earlier had highlighted two instances – at the Golabari police station on May 24 and Sankrail police station on May 25 – where two accused were paraded in underwear with ropes tied around their waist. On May 24, accused Akash Singh was paraded in his underwear and vest before being taken into custody. On May 25, Shamim Ahmed was subjected to similar treatment and made to walk on the streets.
Published - June 06, 2026 12:48 am IST
court / human rights / justice and rights / civil rights
Source: The Hindu - India News
