He was delivering a lecture as part of the lecture series organised by JSS Law College at its premises in Kuvempunagar in the city.
Referring to the debate over mining, Parthasarathy said, while illegal mining is widely discussed, turning a blind eye on farmers who have been the major victims. The iron ore extracted in the process is being stored in the agriculture fields, thus affecting the fertility of the same, he added.
Referring to another case, Parthasarathy said, polluted water is being let into the river in Udupi. The State Government has to take some concrete steps to address the issue. On torturing of suspects and criminals at the police stations, Parthsarathy said, all are equal before the law, according to a direction from Supreme Court. “It means the police have to follow the same procedure in all the other cases too, as they have treated Swamy Nithyananda, Hartalu Halappa and recently Madani”, said Parthasarathy. He also clarified that the evidence given before the Commission cannot be deemed as evidence before Court. Most importantly, the accused should be produced within 24 hours of his/ her arrest.
Recalling a case, Parthasarathy said the Commission had received an information that a woman and her daughter have been confined in a police station.
However, after going to the police station, the cops turned deaf ear. They claimed innocence and said there was no such arrests. After thorough searching, the woman and her daughter were found in bathroom and toilet respectively. The duo had been incarcerated for several days. Parthasarathy said, nowadays, police do not record any arrests, till they feel it necessary.
Cases
Of the total of 20,000 cases before SHRC, 10,000 have been disposed off. Among the total number of cases, 4,000 were suo motu cases registered on the basis of media reports including print and electronic media.
Agri Commission
Parthsarathy disclosed that SHRC has recommended State Government to set up a permanent commission for agriculture on the lines of the Central Commission headed by Prof M S Swaminathan. The Commission should be vested with statutory powers to check spiralling prices and also issues related to compensations.
Principal, JSS Law College, Prof Suresh and students were present in large numbers.