Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: December 28, 2008.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Pragyas_arrest_NCW_writes_to_Chavan/articleshow/3903487.cms
Seeking clarification into the allegations
of torture and inhuman behaviour meted out to sadhvi Pragya Thakur, an accused
in the Malegaon blast case, by Maharashtra Anti-terrorist Squad (ATS), the
NCW has written a letter to the Maharashtra government over the issue.
National Commission for Women chairperson
Girija Vyas through her letter to chief minister Ashok Chavan has requested
to send a "factual report" within a week over the allegations, purportedly
inflicted on the Sadhvi during her detention between October 10 and October
23, 2008.
Vyas' letter comes in the wake of Maharashtra
director general of police A N Roy and chief secretary Johny Joseph not replying
to NCW member secretary S Chatterjee's query on the issue even after a month.
Chatterjee had last month written a letter
to the chief secretary and the DGP, asking for a 'factual' report on the allegations
at the earliest.
"We have, however, not received any report
so far. I am bringing this to your notice, with the request that a factual
report on the matter may be sent to us at the earliest, within a week,"
Vyas wrote in her letter.
The member secretary, in his letter, had mentioned
a joint representation submitted before the commission by over 50 people along
with a copy of sadhvi's affidavit submitted in the Nashik Court.
The national human rights commission (NHRC)
and the Gujarat commission for women had also demanded an inquiry into the
allegations of torture against the Sadhvi.