State of Impunity: Nexus of Corrupt Officials and Anti-Women Criminals in India
Urgent Action: We Need Your Solidarity
Dear Friends,
We are issuing this urgent appeal based on the recent joint statement of Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and Ms. Shruti Nagvanshi.
“Hindu fascists and communal forces from other religions within intelligence agencies, police, media, society, and some civil society organizations in India want to destroy PVCHR and eliminate me and my family. They have continuously tried to break me psychologically and have physically attacked me several times. Yet, I recall the words of Mahatma Gandhi: ‘You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.’”
🔗 Full statement
🔗 Written reply to NHRC based on facts and evidence
This appeal highlights the grave nexus between corrupt officials, sections of the police, and anti-women suspect criminal Sunil Gupta, whose past and ongoing crimes—including the suspicious death of his first wife, forced child marriage, abduction, torture, fabricated cases, and death threats—have been repeatedly ignored or protected by local police and administration. Despite strong evidence, High Court rulings, and NHRC notices, Gupta continues to receive impunity.
Key Concerns
- Targeted harassment: False criminal cases have been filed against Lenin Raghuvanshi and Shruti Nagvanshi, despite earlier investigations proving allegations false.
- Threats and attacks: Lenin and Shruti have received death threats and survived physical attacks, yet no meaningful investigation has followed.
- Violation of women’s rights: Sapna Chaurasia, victim-survivor, faced forced child marriage, physical and psychological torture, and harassment, yet her testimony was undermined by police collusion with Sunil Gupta.
- Police complicity: Crucial IPC sections were deliberately removed, FIRs were delayed, and court judgments were ignored to shield Gupta.
- Suppression of defenders: Instead of supporting victims and defenders, police and administration have protected perpetrators and criminalized activists.
Our Demands
- Immediate CBI/independent investigation into the nexus of Sunil Gupta with corrupt police, officials, and NGOs.
- Action under Section 166A IPC against police officials who ignored High Court orders and fabricated cases.
- Strengthening of NHRC’s Human Rights Defender Desk to ensure effective protection.
- Justice and compensation for Sapna Chaurasia and other victims of Gupta’s violence.
- Protection of Lenin and Shruti Nagvanshi from further attacks and false criminal cases.
How You Can Help
- Write to authorities listed below, urging urgent action and independent investigation.
- Light a candle in your office, home, or community in solidarity for the Rule of Law in India and protection of Human Rights Defenders.
- Spread awareness by sharing this appeal within your networks.
Contact the Authorities
- Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh – csup@up.nic.in
- Director General of Police, UP – police@up.nic.in
- Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh – cmup@nic.in
- Inspector General of Police, Varanasi Zone – igzonevns@up.nic.in
- Senior Superintendent of Police, Varanasi – sspvns@up.nic.in
- NHRC Chairperson – chairnhrc@nic.in; covdnhrc@nic.in; ionhrc@nic.in
- Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women (OHCHR) – vaw@ohchr.org
- Special Representative for HR Defenders (OHCHR) – urgent-action@ohchr.org
- President of India – [Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi]
- Prime Minister of India – pmosb@pmo.nic.in
- Registrar, Supreme Court of India – supremecourt@nic.in
- District Magistrate, Varanasi – dmvsn@satyam.net.in
We are witnessing a dangerous state of impunity where women’s dignity, defenders’ safety, and the rule of law are undermined by a corrupt nexus of officials and criminals. Your solidarity can help break this silence.
Thank you for standing with us.
Urgent Appeal Desk, PVCHR
📧 pvchr.india@gmail.com
🌐 www.pvchr.asia