On November 17, 2008 the Andhra Pradesh government made a decision to hold accountable the police officers who tortured 21 detainees after a May 2007 explosions and bombing in Hyderbad.

The story goes as so… After the bombings approximately 100 people were taken into custody for questioning, of those 21 were later released after being tortured.

After complaints of police brutality and torture, the government acknowledged the torture and promised victim compensation in the amount of $600 US, however, the government has yet to file any criminal charges against the police officers and officials who were responsible for torturing suspects and detainees.

“Acknowledging torture and providing compensation is a good first step,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, senior South Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “But the government has to prosecute those responsible so that those who use torture will not get away with it.”

I gotta give them some credit for even acknowledging the torture of suspects that were later released. Many countries, including the U.S., tend to deny and bury wrongdoing by law enforcement and government.

From the Human Rights Watch…

On May 18, 2007, at least nine people were killed when a bomb exploded outside Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid, where thousands had gathered for Friday prayers. On August 25, 2007, nearly 50 people died and scores were injured in two separate blasts in Hyderabad. There were arrests after each bombing.

The Hyderabad police initially suspected Islamist extremists of carrying out the attacks. Of those detained for questioning, most were released after a few days or weeks in custody.

Many of those picked up on suspicion of being linked to the blasts were illegally detained (who would have thunk it ?!?). The Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Constitution require that detainees be produced in court within 24 hours. Some of those detained said they were brought before the magistrate only after five to 10 days

Read the rest at the Human Rights Watch site