NHRC issues notice to UP over alleged police brutality at Meerut protest
Synopsis
India's top human rights body has put Uttar Pradesh on notice over a viral lathi-charge at a Meerut protest demanding justice for murder victim Lalita Gautam. With videos allegedly showing custodial assault, the NHRC's 15-day deadline to the state's Home Secretary and DGP could set the stage for accountability proceedings — or expose the limits of human rights oversight.
Key Takeaways
The NHRC has taken cognisance of alleged excessive force by Uttar Pradesh Police during a protest in Meerut .
NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo issued notices to the UP Home Secretary and DGP , seeking an Action Taken Report within 15 days .
The protest was demanding justice in the Lalita Gautam murder case .
Complainant Dr Ambedkar Jan Kalyan Samiti, Bhopal alleged unprovoked lathi-charge and custodial assault visible in viral videos.
The NHRC observed that allegations prima facie appear to involve human rights violations .
The UP Chief Secretary has also been directed to ensure compliance with the Commission's order.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging excessive use of force by the Uttar Pradesh Police during a protest in Meerut demanding justice in the Lalita Gautam murder case. The Commission has directed senior state officials to submit a detailed response within 15 days, signalling a formal human rights inquiry into the incident.
Notices Issued to Top UP Officials
A Bench presided over by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo issued notices to the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP), Uttar Pradesh, directing them to furnish an Action Taken Report (ATR) within the stipulated period. The Commission also directed that a copy of its proceedings be forwarded to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary to ensure compliance.
The action has been initiated under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, which empowers the NHRC to inquire into alleged violations of human rights.
What the Complaint Alleges
The complaint was filed by Dr Ambedkar Jan Kalyan Samiti, Bhopal, which alleged that local police resorted to an unprovoked and brutal lathi-charge during what it described as a peaceful public demonstration in Meerut, causing serious injuries to several protesters.
The complainant further alleged that widely circulated videos showed senior police officials assaulting individuals who had already been taken into custody — conduct it characterised as custodial torture and a serious violation of personal dignity and the rule of law. The authenticity of the videos has not been independently verified.
Demands Raised by the Complainant
The Dr Ambedkar Jan Kalyan Samiti sought a range of interventions from the NHRC, including an independent inquiry into the alleged use of force, verification of the viral videos to fix individual accountability, medical rehabilitation and statutory compensation for the injured victims, and initiation of both criminal and departmental proceedings against police personnel found responsible.
NHRC's Prima Facie Observation
After examining the complaint, the apex human rights body observed that the allegations prima facie appear to involve violations of the human rights of the victims. This observation, while not a final finding, is significant — it indicates the Commission found sufficient grounds to move beyond preliminary scrutiny and demand an official account from the state.
Notably, this comes amid a broader pattern of scrutiny over alleged police excesses during public protests in Uttar Pradesh, with the NHRC having previously taken cognisance of similar complaints from the state. The outcome of the 15-day ATR will determine whether the Commission escalates the matter further, including recommending compensation or prosecution.
Point of View
And past instances of state police excesses have seen ATRs that satisfied procedural requirements without delivering accountability. The Lalita Gautam case adds a charged backdrop — protests over gender-based violence and caste-linked crimes have repeatedly drawn allegations of disproportionate police response in Uttar Pradesh. Whether this inquiry produces measurable consequences or becomes another entry in a long ledger of unresolved human rights complaints will depend on whether the Commission is willing to escalate beyond paperwork.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the NHRC issued notices to Uttar Pradesh over the Meerut protest?
The NHRC issued notices to the UP Home Secretary and DGP after a complaint alleged that police used unprovoked and excessive force, including a lathi-charge and custodial assault, during a peaceful protest in Meerut demanding justice in the Lalita Gautam murder case. The Commission found the allegations prima facie indicative of human rights violations.
What is the Lalita Gautam murder case?
The Lalita Gautam murder case is the matter over which protesters had gathered in Meerut, demanding justice. The complaint does not detail the specifics of the case, but the protest and the alleged police response to it form the basis of the NHRC inquiry.
What action has the NHRC directed Uttar Pradesh to take?
The NHRC has directed the UP Home Secretary and DGP to submit a detailed Action Taken Report within 15 days. It has also asked the UP Chief Secretary to ensure compliance, and may consider further steps — including recommending compensation or prosecution — depending on the state's response.
Who filed the complaint with the NHRC?
The complaint was filed by Dr Ambedkar Jan Kalyan Samiti, a Bhopal-based organisation. It alleged lathi-charge, custodial assault visible in viral videos, and sought independent inquiry, compensation for victims, and criminal proceedings against responsible officers.
What legal provision empowers the NHRC to act in this case?
The NHRC has invoked Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, which authorises the Commission to inquire into complaints of alleged human rights violations by state actors, including police personnel.
