Gulab Chonde 

HRD

Bokaro, Jharkhand 

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on April 20, 2021, regarding the illegal detention, arrest, and custodial torture of Mr. Gulab Chonde by the Jharkhand Police. Mr. Chonde is a member of Adivasi Moolvasi Adhikar Manch working for upholding the rights of tribal land, water, and forest. 

Mr. Chonde was picked up from his house by police and CRPF personnel on August 5, 2020, his wife was told that he would be released after questioning. His family and friends inquired about his whereabouts in different police stations but were not given any information. He was booked in an old case where he wasn’t even named under various sections of the Indian Penal Code as well under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and sent to jail on August 9. 2020. During the illegal detention, he was brutally tortured by the police for four days asking him to confess to being involved in Maoist activities. 

The arrest of Mr. Chonde is a case of reprisal for actively participating in peaceful protests for upholding the rights of tribal over natural resources. His arrest and custodial torture were clear violations of provisions of national and international law.