DW Bureau | Chandigarh, September 10: Veteran human-rights activist Jaspal S. Dhillon on Thursday announced the relaunch of the Human Rights and Democracy Forum (HRDF) as a non-partisan platform to provide free legal aid, document alleged rights violations and promote constitutional safeguards and institutional accountability across Punjab.

Dhillon, who will head the Forum as chairman, said the decision to revive HRDF was prompted by complaints from young people and families regarding alleged illegal detention, false criminal cases, custodial violence, excessive use of force and denial of due process.

Addressing a press conference at the Press Club, Sector 27, Dhillon said the Forum would examine cases involving custodial violence, illegal detention, denial of fair hearings, issues concerning women and children, medical negligence and other alleged violations of fundamental rights.

The HRDF will provide free legal assistance through a panel of lawyers and help affected persons pursue remedies through courts and other lawful mechanisms. It will also establish a Truth Archive to preserve and digitise records related to human-rights cases, subject to legal and privacy requirements.

Dhillon also claimed that 37 alleged fake encounters had taken place in Punjab during the past one-and-a-half years and said the Forum would examine such cases through documentation and legal processes.

The organisation plans to establish units across Punjab within two months and subsequently expand across India and overseas. It has invited lawyers, doctors, teachers, journalists, professionals, students and members of the diaspora to support the initiative.