New Delhi: Pointing out that there was no law on torture, the Supreme Court on Monday said there was “extreme urgency” in national interest to frame of an effective law to prevent torture and inhuman treatment of individuals in custody.
“We do not have a law on torture. This is a matter of national interest,” a bench comprising Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said.
“Several issues are pending with the Law Commission. This is a matter which is required to be dealt with in extreme urgency. This is a matter of human rights,” the bench further said.
The remarks were made after Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the court that Law Commission was examining the issue.
The bench was hearing a PIL filed by senior advocate and former law minister Ashwani Kumar, who has sought directions to frame an effective law on the issue and empower agencies like NHRC with necessary enforcement capabilities and mechanisms to implement its orders and directions.
During the hearing, the solicitor general said that the government has referred the matter to the Law Commission which would come out with recommendations on the issue.
The SG also told the bench that a Bill on the issue was in the Lok Sabha in 2010.
