Custodial death case: No need to monitor probe, says HC

Ahmedabad, August 31

The Gujarat High Court turned down a plea for monitoring investigations on Monday into the suspected custodial death of a 32-year-old man during the recent Patel agitation for reservation.

The petition was filed by Prabhaben, the mother of Swetang Patel, who is suspected to have died after he was picked up and beaten during the violence that recently stirred Gujarat over reservation for the community.

Justice JB Pardiwala also directed police to give Prabhaben a copy of the report of the second autopsy it conducted. She was also told she could approach the court in future after she claimed the FIR registered by police two days ago contained some loopholes.

Last week, the Gujarat High court had admitted that the case appeared to be one of homicide and ordered the Crime Investigation Department to investigate Patel’s death.

It had also asked directed the administration to register an FIR.

Preabhaben claimed that some policemen forced entry into their society on August 25 at 10.30 pm, vandalised the place, broke a few car panes and forcibly took away her son and four others.

He was then dragged to the main road, assaulted and taken to Bapuranagar police station, she claimed in her petition.

"He was mercilessly beaten up at Bapunagar police station also. The boy complained of excruciating pain, but cops ignored it. Ultimately, he succumbed to his injuries," Prabhaben said in her petition, seeking a Special Investigation Team to probe the incident.

At least 10 people, including Swetang Patel, are believed to have died in various incidents of violence when Patels’ demand for reservation in Gujarat turned violent last week after the detention of their leader Hardik Patel, forcing the government to call in the army. — PTI