When Seeking Justice Becomes a Risk: Targeting of a Human Rights Defender in Varanasi

When Seeking Justice Becomes a Risk: Targeting of a Human Rights Defender in Varanasi
By Lenin Raghuvanshi
(Human Rights Defender)

Human rights work in India often comes at a cost. What begins as support to a survivor can quickly turn into intimidation, surveillance, and targeting by authorities meant to protect citizens.

Background of the Case

On 9 July 2024, a Hindi daily newspaper Amar Ujala (Varanasi edition) published a report titled:

“एनजीओ में काम करने वाली युवती से साथी और सिपाही ने दुष्कर्म किया”

(An NGO worker raped by her colleague and a police constable)

The report detailed the sexual exploitation of a young woman working with an NGO, allegedly raped on the false promise of marriage. It further stated that when the survivor pressured the accused for marriage, a police constable was engaged, who also sexually assaulted her. The survivor reportedly faced forced abortions, threats, and exploitation.

Following the publication and the survivor’s complaint:

• FIR No. 243/2024 was registered at PS Lalpur Pandeypur, Varanasi

• Charges included Sections 376, 313, 504, 506 IPC

• One accused was arrested and charge-sheeted

• The involvement of a police personnel raised serious concerns of custodial abuse of power

Complaint Before NHRC

As a human rights defender, I submitted a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking:

• Protection and safety of the survivor

• Accountability of the accused, including departmental action against the police personnel

• Compensation and rehabilitation for the survivor

The NHRC, after examining the matter, passed multiple orders. Most importantly:

• NHRC acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations

• Directed reports from senior police authorities

• Sought a departmental action report from 11th PAC, Sitapur

• Issued final reminders due to non-compliance by authorities

The NHRC’s Additional Information Call (AIC) dated 19 August 2025 clearly shows continued monitoring and concern over delay and inaction.

Targeting After Intervention

After pursuing the case and engaging constitutional mechanisms, I began facing hostile actions from the local police:

• Unnecessary scrutiny and intimidation

• Attempts to discredit my role as a human rights defender

• Pressure tactics seemingly aimed at discouraging follow-up on the case

• A pattern suggesting retaliation for assisting a survivor and approaching NHRC

This targeting is not an isolated incident. Across India, human rights defenders who assist survivors of sexual violence—especially where police are involved—face similar reprisals.

Why This Matters

Targeting a human rights defender:

• Violates Article 21 of the Constitution

• Undermines access to justice for survivors

• Directly contradicts India’s obligations under international human rights law

• Sends a chilling message to civil society and whistleblowers

If those who support survivors are silenced, justice becomes impossible.

Appeal

I urge:

• NHRC to take cognizance of retaliatory targeting

• Senior police leadership to ensure protection of human rights defenders

• Civil society, media, and legal community to remain vigilant

Seeking justice is not a crime. Defending human rights should never become a reason for persecution.

From: <nhrc.india@nic.in>
Date: Tue, Aug 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Subject: Additional Information Called for(AIC) -16984/24/72/2024-wc
To: <eowhq@up.nic.in>, <adgeow@nic.in>, <pvchr.adv@gmail.com>

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023

Fax No.: 011-24651332    Website: www.nhrc.nic.in

(Law Division)

Case No.- 16984/24/72/2024-wc

---

Date : 19/08/2025

To,

ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR GENERAL Economic Offences Wing, Police Bhawan, near EKANA Stadium, Gomti Nagar, LUCKNOW UTTAR PRADESH Email- eowhq@up.nic.in,adgeow@nic.in

Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from

LENIN RAGHUVNASHI SA 4/2A DAULATPUR VARANASI VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH 221002 Email- pvchr.adv@gmail.com , Mob No- 9935599331

Subject: Additional Information Called for(AIC) -16984/24/72/2024-wc.

Sir/ Madam,

I am directed to say that the matter was considered by the Commission on 19/08/2025 and the Commission has directed as follows.:

In this case, the Commission vide order dated 17.04.2025 observed and directed as under:    “1. The complainant has quoted a news published in the Amar Ujaala dated 09.07.2024 captioned 'NGO mein kaam karne wali yuvati se sathi aur sipahi ne dushkarm kiya'. As per the news report, the victim was employed with an NGO and raped by the accused named in the complaint on false promise of marriage who get aborted her pregnancy twice. It is further reported that when the victim pressurized the accused for marriage, he engaged a Police Constable to teach her a lesson, who also raped her. The accused also took pic and video of the incident. As per the news report, on the direction of the Police Commissioner, a case has been registered at PS Lalpur Pandeypur, and the police have started investigation after arresting an accused. The complainant has requested intervention of the Commission in the matter and safety, security for the victim along with stern action against the accused persons. 2. Pursuant to reminder dtd 25.10.2024, a report dtd 29.10.2024 was received from Addl. DCP, Crime (Nodal HR), Varanasi. It is submitted that, based on the complaint received from the victim, a PS Lalpur Pandeypur FIR no. 243/2024 dtd 08.07.2024 u/s 376/313/504/506 IPC was filed against named alleged accused 1. Naveen Yadav, & 2. Vivek Yadav. Accused Naveen Yadav was arrested on dtd 09.07.2024. During investigation, sections 313 IPC was altered with 323 IPC. The investigation in the present case has been concluded and named accused Naveen Yadav is chargesheeted for crime committed u/s 323/376 IPC and accused Vivek Yadav has been chargesheeted u/s 504/506 IPC on dtd 23.07.2024. For issue related to compensation for crime committed u/s 376 IPC, the victim has been asked to provide related necessary documents to be placed before the DLSA, Varanasi. As and when the documents would be provided by the victim, application for compensation would be filed. 3. Pursuant to further direction regarding departmental action against accused (who was reported to be police official), the Addl. DCP/Nodal Officer, Varanasi, vide communication dated 07.03.2025 submitted that report regarding departmental action be called from the 11PAC Sitapur. 4. Regarding monetary relief, it is submitted that the DLSA, informed that the sanction has been granted by the competent authority and monetary relief will be released soon. 5. The Commission has considered the material placed on record. The submitted report revealed that 11th PAC Sitapur be called to submit report regarding departmental action against accused. 6. Therefore, let direction be issued to the Addl. Director General/PAC, Uttar Pradesh, to submit additional report in the matter, within six weeks. 7. The report dated 07.03.2025 of the Addl. DCP/Nodal Officer (HR), Varanasi, is also enclosed for ready reference.” Despite the Issuance of reminder, no requisite report has been received in the Commission. Let a final reminder be issued to the addl. Director General/PAC, Uttar Pradesh, to submit additional report in the matter, within six weeks. Put up after six weeks.

2.     It is therefore, requested that the additional/ complete report as directed by the Commission in the matter be sent latest by 10/10/2025, for futher consideration by the Commission.

3.     Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained

Your’s faithfully Sd/- Atul Kumar ASSISTANT REGISTRAR (LAW) M-5 Section Ph. No. 011-24663287

CC to

Atul Kumar ASSISTANT REGISTRAR (LAW) M-5 Section