More than 46 per cent of 8,323 complaints received by the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) in the past five years pertain to allegations against police personnel of unfair investigation, registration of false cases, exploitation and torture.

Data accessed by The Statesman shows that established in September 2012, state’s HRC has received a total 8,323 complaints by the end of February, of which 3,897 complaints (over 46 per cent) are against the Haryana cops.

Figures show that during the year 2016, a total of 3,262 complaints were received of which 1,299 were against the police. Similarly, 2015 and 2014, total complaints received by the Commission against the Police were 2,086 and 1,475 respectively. In 2013, the number of complaints was 1,088 while in 2012, 56 complaints were issued, which was the lowest.

Out of these, 670 complaints were reported against the police personnel in 2015, 970 in 2014, 758 in 2013 and 32 in 2012.

As per records, in 2017, 356 complaints were received by the Commission during January and February of which 168 are against the Police Department. Acting Chairperson, HHRC, Justice (retd) H S Bhalla said that the majority of the complaints received against the police personnel are about inaction, torture and exploitation.

Apart from police atrocities, HHRC also got other complaints related to children, women, prison, pension, life and liberty among others. Moreover, several complaints relating to custodial deaths were also reported to the Commission in the last few years.

According to the HHRC, out of the total complaints received in the past few years, it has disposed of a total 6,927 complaints so far while 1,396 are still pending. HHRC Registrar (Judicial) G K Khanna said that the Commission has also taken cognizance in a number of cases seeking reports from various higher authorities. For example a suo-motto was taken by the Commission last year in an alleged Murthal rape case when it sought a report from the state government. The Commission also issued notice to the Civil Aviation Authority when it was reported that some airlines were charging extra amount from the passengers when the national highway route between the Chandigarh and Delhi was blocked due to Jat agitation in February last year, Khanna added.