Published Jun 12, 2025 | 12:58 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 12, 2025 | 12:58 PM
Karnataka State Police logo
Synopsis: A rights group expressed serious concern over the alleged unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by the police in the Hubballi-Dharwad twin cities. They also cited an alleged increase in intolerance towards migrant workers following a crime committed by one of them.
The National Alliance for Accountability, Justice and Rights (NAJAR), a collective of lawyers, law students, and legal professionals, expressed serious concern over the alleged unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by the police in the Hubballi-Dharwad twin cities in Karnataka over the past year.
They sent a letter to the State Police Complaints Authority highlighting this issue, and another to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, citing an alleged increase in intolerance towards migrant workers following a crime committed by one of them.
They cited media reports to substantiate their allegations.
In a letter to the complaints authority, the group alleged 14 instances in the past year where police in the twin cities used firearms, resulting in injuries and at least one death.
In all these cases, the police reportedly claimed the use of force was either to effect arrests or in self-defence — a justification NAJAR challenged, citing a “standard template” response from the Commissioner of Police.
“In all fourteen cases, the police appear to be the sole witnesses,” the group noted, warning that this raises questions about the transparency and impartiality of the claims.
NAJAR cited media reports and Supreme Court observations in Arif Md Yeasin Jwadder v. State of Assam to argue that allegations of fake encounters warrant independent scrutiny.
They also referred to guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in PUCL v. State of Maharashtra and the Ramlila Maidan case, emphasising the need for FIRs and magisterial inquiries in all instances of police use of force. NAJAR alleged that public information about such procedures being followed was lacking.
“The unnecessary and disproportionate use of firearms by police officials, coupled with non-compliance with Supreme Court guidelines, seriously undermines the constitutionally protected rights to life, liberty and fair trial,” the letter stated.
In a separate letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the collective condemned what they described as growing intolerance towards migrant workers, especially after a Bihari worker accused in the Hubballi child rape and murder case was killed in a police ‘encounter’.
The case is currently being heard by the Karnataka High Court.
NAJAR said the incident had triggered widespread suspicion and generalisation against migrants, with police reportedly advising locals to exercise caution in renting to them. The Labour Minister’s recent call for legislation to regulate the entry of workers from other states and hold contractors accountable for workers’ crimes was also criticised.
“It is deeply troubling and unjust that, instead of showing concern for the vulnerable conditions of migrant labourers, officials have responded with discriminatory proposals and statements,” the group said.
The alliance warned that such a situation could have ripple effects, potentially inciting reciprocal hostility against Karnataka-origin workers in other states.
They urged the chief minister to reaffirm the state’s constitutional commitment by publicly dissociating from the “unconstitutional and prejudicial statements” made by the home minister and police officials.
“When businesses and investors are welcomed into the state, why can’t the same dignity be extended to toiling workers?” the letter asked, calling on the state to implement proactive policies that support and protect migrant labourers rather than vilify them.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
