According to NHRC sources, the Commission has also recommended that appropriate departmental action should be taken against the errant sub-inspector who falsely implicated the victim, Deepak Khera, in a case of theft and tortured him driving him to commit suicide. It has also asked the Delhi government to send a compliance report within six weeks.

Earlier, on receiving a complaint from Vinod Singh Khera of Dakshinpuri alleging detention, beating, torture and false implication of his brother Deepak Khera at the Ambedkar Nagar police station, the NHRC took cognizance of the case. It called for a report from the Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP), Southern range, and also directed its Director General (Investigation), to collectfacts.

The JCP said in his report that Deepak Khera was involved in a case of theft, including stealing a television, from a shop on December 14 last year. Though Deepak had admitted to have committed the crime during police interrogation, nothing was recovered from him, he said and also pointed out that the accused was a notorious person and an alcoholic.

However, according to the report of the NHRC Director General (Investigation), the theft of the television by Deepak Khera was not established and his confessional statement regarding involvement in past criminal cases, as claimed by the police, appeared to have been taken under police pressure.

On perusal of the two reports, the NHRC directed the JCP (Vigilance), New Delhi, to inquire into the matter. His report indicated that the recovery of the television from Deepak had not been supported by evidence during the inquires though at the same time the reputation of Deepak was not beyond suspicion.

Meanwhile, in a tragic finale of the sordid episodeDeepak Khera committed suicide on March 11, 1999 while the police investigation was still in progress.