Monday, February 6 2006 18:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has laid down a set of guidelines to check the growing incidents of custodial torture in the country and ensured that stern and speedy action is taken against the perpetrators.

Three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justice B N Srikrishna, Justice R V Raveendran said "An independent investigation agency (preferably respective Human Rights Commissions or CBI) may be entrusted with adequate power to investigate complaints of custodial violence against police personnel and take stern and speedy action followed by prosecution, where ever necessary".

The Bench said police training should be re-oriented, to bring in a change in the mindset and attitude of the police personnel with regard to investigations, so that they recognise and respect human rights and adopt through and scientific investigation methods.

The order came on a petition filed by one Sube Singh who had sought compensation for custodial torture of his relatives in different police stations at different points of time in Haryana.

The court, however, dismissed his petition saying "There is no clear or incontrovertible evidence about custodial torture nor medical report of any enquiry or disability".