Probe ordered into torture of youths in custody

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 7

The Deputy Commissioner has ordered a magisterial probe into the custodial torture case, even as politicians from the Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday visited Government Rajindra Hospital to meet the victim.

Leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema said his party would raise the issue in the upcoming session of the Vidhan Sabha. “We demand immediate arrest of the policemen concerned and registration of an FIR against them,” he said.

Later, AAP MLA Sukhpal Khaira also met the victim and his family members and said he would hold a dharna outside Sanaur police station if the accused were not booked. “We will later gherao the SSP if the police do not take action. The Chief Minister should announce exemplary punishment to such policemen,” he stated.

Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit ordered the magisterial probe following a recommendation by SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu.

On Monday, ASI Narinder Singh, posted at Sanaur police station, was suspended for allegedly torturing a group of local youths. One of the victims was admitted to hospital. The youth (name withheld) and his five friends were on their way back home late on Saturday night on two bikes when they had an altercation with a police team at a naka.

He alleged that the ASI, along with two constables, took them in his Alto car to the Sanaur police station. “There, he and other officials subjected us to humiliation and torture. Our clothes were removed and we were told to grope each other,” he added.

The youth alleged that they were kept in illegal confinement in the police station and beaten up when they asked for water.