SHRC begins inquiry against police for illegal detention of woman, three children

Staff of Pulikeshi Nagar Police Station are in the dock for allegedly harassing a 49-year-old woman and her three children with special needs by detaining them at the station for several hours.

According to a writ petition filed by the woman in the High Court, she and her children were illegally detained for questioning to track down an accused in a kidnapping case, with whom she allegedly had a live-in relationship. 

The victim has approached the court seeking legal action and also lodged a complaint with the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, which has taken cognisance and initiated an inquiry into the matter

Reportedly, the police had arrested a man, identified as Daniel Essex, in connection with an abduction case in August 2024. He was later released on bail, but he violated bail conditions and allegedly went missing, prompting the police to launch a manhunt to track him down.

As per the complaint to SHRC, police searched the complainant’s house for the accused, as she was reportedly having a live-in relationship with him as of August 16.

She alleged that despite not being related to the case in any way, police barged into the house, detained her and her three children, aged 16, 14, and 12, who are specially-abled, for several hours, and even snatched their phones. She further, in her complaint, said that her 14-year-old girl, suffering from epilepsy, had her medical condition worsen because of “police high-handedness”.

The complainant has demanded an FIR against the police officials for trespass and abduction.