WBHRC asks for inquiry into 'inhuman torture' on Pinki

     The West Bengal Human Rights
Commission has directed the home, health and police
departments to inquire into the alleged 'inhuman torture' on
Asiad gold medalist Pinki Pramanik in police and jail custody
and submit a report within two weeks.
     "One complaint has been submitted alleging inhuman
torture both in jail and police custody to Pinki Pramanik,"
WBHRC chairman Justice Ashok Kumar Ganguly, members
Justice N C Sil and S N Roy said in a letter yesterday to the
three departments.
     "The Commission is seriously concerned and directs the
principal secretary (health) for an inquiry into the matter
and send the report within two weeks," said.
     The WBHRC also gave the same direction to principal
secretary (home) who is incharge of the jail department and
the director general of police.
     "Prima facie, it's a case of human rights violation. We
are awaiting the reports," Justice Ganguly .
     The treatment meted out to the athlete has attracted
criticism from the sporting fraternity as well.
     "It's a shame. I feel sad for Pinki who has earned
laurels for the country. It's a case of sexual harrassment. I
urge the human rights authorities to step in," two-time
Olympian Saraswati Saha-Dey, who won 200m gold at the Busan
Asian Games.
     "Male police officers have been escorting her and at
times dragging her out from police vans. This is absolutely
deplorable," former national women's swimming champion Bula
Chowdhury said.
     "She may be charged for a particular crime, but why is
she being subjected to this harassment?" Arjuna Awardee Shanti
Mullick asked.
     The retired middle distance runner was arrested on June
14 and has been accused of allegedly raping a live-in partner,
a 30-year-old estranged woman.
     She is currently in judicial custody till July 12.
     Pinki, after her arrest, was initially taken to a private
nursing home in Barasat under police custody and later to the
Barasat General Hospital for gender tests.
     Pinki was subsequently sent to the SSKM Hospital where
the gender of the athlete could not be determined as the
facility for the chromosome pattern test was unavailable.
     The athlete's blood sample was taken yesterday at the
SSKM Hospital and sent for tests.
     An MMS clip was also reportedly in circulation showing
the athelete in the nude.
     The Eastern Railway middle-distance runner had won a
4x400m relay gold in the 2006 Doha Asiad and a silver in the
same event at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
     Pinki bagged three gold medals in the 2006 SAF Games in
Colombo when she won the 400m, 800m and 4x400m relay events.