Stalin

Dalit Student Activist

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on 16^th June, regarding the illegal detention and torture of a young Dalit student activist of Student Federation of India (SFI), Mr. Stalin. Mr., Stalin, is a 26-year-old dalit youth and a final-year law student at Dr BR Ambedkar Law College in Tirupati.

Mr. Stalin was arrested at city central bus stand in Tirupati when he had gone to see off his relatives. Some police personnel approached him questioning him being at the bus stand that point of time in night. The police personnel said that they did not believe him. Stalin even asked them to enquire with his relatives who had got inside a bus by then, or his local guardian in Tirupati, or with the college authorities to verify his claims. The police personnel accused him of being a daily wage labourer working for the red sanders smuggling network, and took Mr. Stalin to the Tirupati East Police Station where they confiscated his mobile phone. During the 18-hour long detention, the police assaulted him with canes and boots, despite Stalin repeatedly asking them to enquire with the college authorities. On June 12, 2017, he was released after seven days. He suffered injuries on shoulder, hips, hands and legs. It is learnt that, on verifying facts about Mr. Stalin, the police realised their mistake and were also ready to pay for the injury they caused, but Stalin refused the money.

HRDA prayed for thorough investigation and to take immediate actions on the perpetrators of the case.