Pune Police Ban Public Parading, Humiliation of Accused; Commissioner Issues Strict Directions
Pune, 8th August 2026: Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has issued strict directions prohibiting the public parading and humiliation of arrested accused persons. The move comes after recent incidents involving alleged humiliating treatment of accused persons by police personnel came to light in the city.
The issue gained attention after minor accused persons in a case registered at Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station were allegedly paraded publicly. The incident was taken up by the Human Rights Commission, and an inquiry into the concerned police officials is underway.
Following the incident, the Pune Police Commissionerate issued a circular instructing all officers and personnel to strictly follow legal and human rights guidelines while dealing with arrested persons.
No public humiliation or parading
According to the circular, police personnel have been directed not to parade any accused person or engage in any act that could result in their public humiliation.
The instructions specifically prohibit making accused persons perform sit-ups or other humiliating acts, parading them on vehicles, tying them with ropes or chains, or subjecting them to any other form of degrading treatment.
The circular notes that videos showing alleged humiliating treatment of arrested accused persons at some police stations in Pune had recently surfaced on social media and gone viral. Such incidents, it said, damage the image of the police department and must be prevented.
Arrest procedures must follow law
The Commissioner has directed officers to ensure that all procedures from the time of arrest until the accused is produced before a court are carried out strictly in accordance with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, Maharashtra Police Manual and judicial directions.
Police personnel have also been instructed to follow guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the state government to protect the dignity and human rights of arrested persons.
D.K. Basu guidelines reiterated
The circular specifically reiterates the mandatory compliance with the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark D.K. Basu vs State of West Bengal case concerning the rights and treatment of arrested persons.
The Pune Police Commissionerate has warned that any violation of the directions will invite departmental disciplinary action and, wherever necessary, legal action against the concerned officers or police personnel.
The latest directive is aimed at ensuring that arrests and subsequent police procedures are carried out lawfully while safeguarding the dignity and fundamental rights of accused persons.
