About the Human Rights Defender: Mr. Santosh Thakur (39) is a human rights activist in Muzaffarpur, Bihar and the founder member of Grameen Vichar Manch, a civil rights organization which actively works on human rights, civil rights and social issues in Bihar. Mr. Santosh Thakur is also associated with various human rights organizations. Details of the Incident: On May 10, 2023, at 11:00 am, Mr. Manoj went to Mushahari police station, Dumri, Muzaffarpur with his relative Ms. Sanju Devi, to file a complaint regarding a forcible control of her wheat crop by Dheeraj Kumar with his associates. When they tried to file a complaint, Mr. Narendra Kumar, the station in-charge started abusing them and gave an order to arrest Mr. Santosh Thakur and Ms. Sanju Devi, who were then taken into custody. No FIR was filed on their complaint. Mr. Thakur was given no detention memo, in violation of the DK Basu guidelines. His mobile and 5000 rupees and watch were taken by the policemen illegally without any memo. Both Mr. Thakur and Ms. Devi were detained till the evening and given no water or food. At 5:30 pm in the evening they were released but their mobile and money were not returned by the police.

On May 12, 2023, Ms. Sanju Devi wrote the entire incident in a letter and sent it to Inspector General of Police, Bihar. A copy of the letter was also sent to Superintendent of police of Muzaffarpur and Director General of police, Bihar. Ms. Sanju Devi in her complaint letter has alleged that the policemen are in collusion with the accused Dheeraj Kumar and Mr. Santosh Kumar and herself were detained because of the pressure of the accused on the SHO.