Self suffering story of a survivor of police

torture victim
(Testimony)

Photo of Munni Devi

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People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights

(PVCHR),
Research and Rehabilitation council of torture
victim (RCT)
 Self suffering story of a survivor of police
torture victim
I am Munni Devi and reside at S 18/ 149, Nadesar, Rajabazar, Varanasi.
I have five children, three sons and two daughters. Among them two
sons and a daughter had been married. After the marriage, my sons
have their own separate household arrangements.
When my youngest son, Guddu was 7-8 years old, I sent him to
Mumbai along with a neighbourer. He earned his livelihood selling
toys in the metropolis and even used to send us some money. There he
grew into a young man. When my sons and a daughter were married
my youngest son could not attend their marriage. Whenever he used to
come to Varanasi he was accompanied by our neighbourer, who had
migrated to Mumbai for earning a livelihood. Next day, in the morning,
people known to us rushed to our home, informing that my son has
been arrested, which they had read in the newspapers. We were
dumbstruck as my ears could not believe that. They showed us the
newspaper in which the story of my son’s arrest had appeared. Then
also I could not believe my eyes.
Then, we rushed to the kutchery (local court) where we came to know
that two boys, including my son have been nabbed on murder charges.
It seemed much more shocking than death. I was quite definite that my
son was falsely implicated. Whatever might be the reason he was my
son, who at least used to earn on his own.
However, I lived a hand to mouth existence, where my husband turned
out to be worthless earning not a single penny for the family. Even he
had no attachment towards the family, since past 10 to 12 years. For
running the household and to feed my children, I took up stitching
work. But that too suffered a setback, when I and my son had to go to
the court at regular intervals. I had never faced such turbulent situation.
I have to take loan and sell my meager land holding, to fight my son’s
case. After one and half years, my youngest son was released from the
jail. His release brought relief to us. Guddu, my son was shifted to my
daughter’s brother-in-law’s house to save him from police harassment.
One day, there also plain clothed policeman reached there and picked
up Ashok Pradhan and my youngest son. They were taken to police
station and a boy witnessing that rang up and informed us. Again, my
innocent son was framed in false case, it came in my mind. After my
son’s arrest, I and my family members had to run from pillar to post to
know the whereabouts of my son.
After knowing that my son is in Bhelupur police station, then we
rushed there. Reaching there, we were not allowed to meet my son.
Then, after much persuasion we were permitted to meet my son. Seeing
my son at the police station I was thinking what fate had befallen on
me. It would have been better if I would have died. In the cold wintry
night, we used to spend our nights outside the police station. After 6 to
7 days of my son’s arrest, a false case of drug trafficking was booked
against my son. He was behind the bars for two and half months. We
got scared. Still my head starts reeling remembering that.
Doctor also advises not to burden my brain. He says if you die then
who would take care of your son. After two and half months my son
was released on bail. Then I was quite assured that police is responsible
for turning an innocent to a criminal. After the bail I sent back my son
to Mumbai. All of my family members are scared of police.
Just a fortnight back police again came and asked my grandson where
your uncle is? He told that he is Mumbai. Then the police started
abusing my other son and took him to the police station. Till we
reached the police station he was released. Police has been constantly
threatening us. They say that if we don’t call back our son back from
Mumbai then they would be forced to auction our house and evict us.
Recently, my grandson accompanying me to a shop to purchase jalebi,
seeing a policeman standing there he got scared and asked me,
‘Grandma, I don’t need jalebi, let’s go back to home.’ Always a fear
lurks our mind that anytime police can knock the door. I cannot sleep
in the night. My grandson is quite fearful seeing the police. He is
scared of police’s abusive language and its uniform. Its always fear in
my mind that if my son moves out, would police catch him, thinking
that he starts shivering. Though what I have faced had generated
confidence in me.
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Survivor Interviewer & Recorder

Mrs. Munni Devi Ms. Anjana & Neeraj