NHRC issues notice to Mumbai Police Commissioner and MBC officials over death of fruit vendor

10 February, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Mumbai police commissioner and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner to submit a report on the death of a fruit vendor Madan Jaiswal allegedly due to harsh action of police and Municipal Corporation officials in Mumbai.

Acting on a complaint of rights activist and managing trustee of Odisha-based organization India Media Centre, Mr. Akhand, the NHRC asked these authorities to file a report within four weeks.

A 40-year-old roadside hawker Madan jaiswal died during a drive by Mumbai police and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Santa Cruz (east) on January 11. The police drive was headed by assistant Commissioner of Police Vasant Dhoble.

The police had patrolled the area around 5pm on 11.01.2013 after which all the hawkers fled. But once police left, they re-arranged their stalls at the roadside. Police returned half an hour later. Police was accompanied by BMC officials in their vehicles to remove the stalls. The hawkers started to run helter-skelter when fruit vendor Madan Jaiswal fell down and collapsed. Passers-by shifted him to the nearby V. N. Desai hospital where he died during treatment.

The petitioner alleged: “Jaiswal became scared when he saw police and BMC officials walking towards his stall. Due to harsh action of police and BMC officials, innocent vendor died.”

Order for action against the police official responsible for this action and a compensation of Rs. five lakh to the victim’s family is sought by the petitioner.