New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday issued a notice to the Maharashtra government over arrest of five activists in connection with with Bhima Koregaon violence, calling for a factual report within four weeks.

Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports about the arrest of five activists by the police from different cities on Tuesday, the Commission observed that standard operating procedure in connection with these arrests has not been properly followed by the police authorities and it may amount to violation of their human rights. 

Those arrested include lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, civil liberties activists, Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira and Varavara Rao.

The NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Maharashtra calling for a factual report in the matter within four weeks.

The Commission has observed that earlier it had received a complaint from an NGO from Geneva regarding illegal arrest of five human rights defenders namely Surendra Gadling, Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale, Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut by Maharashtra police in the month of June.

In that matter also, the Commission said it had issued a notice on June 29 to the DGP, Maharashtra calling for a report in the matter within four weeks, which is yet to be received.

UNI