The matter concerns Jeetu Das, aged 28, a resident of Jogni Pahari village in Koderma district. The NHRC complaint was filed by Lenin Raghuvnashi on 17 July 2025. The Commission's online diary records the complaint as Diary No. 16766/IN/2025, concerning an incident dated 12 February 2025 at the Ravidas Temple area in Koderma. The complaint was categorised by the Commission under “Abuse of Power.”
Allegation of wrongful implication
According to the complaint submitted before the NHRC, the incident occurred in the Domchanch Police Station area of Koderma district, where it was alleged that an innocent labourer was subjected to harassment and that a false criminal case was subsequently registered against him, along with the seizure of his vehicle.
The complaint requested an impartial investigation into the circumstances of the incident and appropriate legal action against those found responsible. The original complaint was registered with the NHRC on 17 July 2025.
The victim's account
The statement of Jeetu Das, attached to the complaint, provides a personal account of what happened on 12 February 2025.
In his statement, Das describes himself as a daily-wage labourer and says that he was returning after dropping his daughter at school when he stopped near the area of the incident. He alleges that police personnel arrived and began beating and driving people away. He states that he became frightened and attempted to leave, but his vehicle was subsequently taken by the police.
Das further states that he attempted to explain to the police that he had merely been passing through the area after dropping his daughter at school, but that his explanation was not heard. He says that he subsequently went to the police station but felt that his grievance was not properly considered. The statement also describes the severe financial and emotional consequences for his family. (Victim's statement, pages 1–2 of the attached document.)
The victim's account records that his vehicle was his principal means of earning a livelihood and that its seizure had a direct impact on his family's ability to sustain itself. On the second page, he appeals for an independent inquiry and for punishment not to be imposed without establishing responsibility through a fair investigation.
NHRC calls for an Action Taken Report
After considering the complaint, the NHRC has directed its Registry to forward the complaint to the Superintendent of Police, Koderma, Jharkhand, for examination of the allegations.
The Commission has specifically observed that if the allegations are true, they would constitute violations of the human rights of the victims. It has therefore directed the police authority to examine the matter and submit a report.
The communication dated 14 September 2026 requires the Superintendent of Police, Koderma, to submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks of receipt of the communication.
The NHRC has also stated that communication from public authorities in the matter should be submitted through the HRCNet Portal, rather than by email, and that audio/video material or other physical evidence may be sent through Speed Post or by bearer.
Why the case matters
The case raises important questions about due process, police accountability, protection of livelihood and the human rights of vulnerable workers.
A criminal allegation cannot by itself establish guilt. Where a person claims that he has been falsely implicated, that allegation requires an impartial examination of the available evidence, including the circumstances in which the case was registered, the seizure of the vehicle, the conduct of the police personnel involved, and the victim's own account.
For a daily-wage worker, the seizure of a vehicle used for earning a livelihood can have consequences extending far beyond the immediate legal proceedings. It can affect the person's ability to work, feed a family and meet basic household expenses.
A step toward accountability
The NHRC's decision to seek an Action Taken Report does not itself constitute a final finding that the allegations are proved. Rather, it places the matter before the competent police authority for examination and requires the authority to report back to the Commission.
The important development is that the allegations have now entered a formal human-rights monitoring process. The next crucial step will be the submission of a transparent and reasoned Action Taken Report addressing the allegations raised by the complainant and the victim.
The case—NHRC Case No. 1168/34/12/2025; Online Diary No. 16766/IN/2025—will therefore be important to follow as the competent authorities respond to the Commission's direction.
The demand remains simple: a fair investigation, accountability where wrongdoing is established, and protection of the dignity, livelihood and fundamental rights of the affected person.
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