CBI arrests eight J&K cops for ‘torture’ of constable

The CBI has arrested eight J&K Police personnel, including a DSP, in connection with the alleged custodial torture of a constable following orders from the Supreme Court.

The action comes nearly a month after the apex court directed the CBI to probe the 2023 incident involving the alleged illegal detention and custodial torture that led to the “castration” of Constable Khursheed Ahmad Chohan. The policemen were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday.

Official sources said the arrested officials include DSP Aijaz Ahmad Naiko, Sub-Inspector Riyaz Ahmad, and six others.

CBI sources told The Tribune on Thursday that the arrested individuals were produced before a court in Srinagar and remanded to a five-day custody.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta had on July 21 directed the CBI to register a case within seven days and form a special investigation team (SIT) headed by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police.

“The police officials found responsible for the custodial torture shall be arrested forthwith and not later than a period of one month from today. The investigation shall be completed within 90 days of the registration of the FIR,” the court had ordered.

Officials said the arrests were made by the SIT of the CBI.

A senior official said the accused were taken into custody after being called for questioning. “Further investigation is underway,” he added.

The Supreme Court had also directed the J&K administration to pay Rs 50 lakh as compensation to Chohan “in order to provide some solace to the victim and his family for the barbaric acts of custodial torture leading to complete castration”.

Chohan alleged that he was illegally detained and tortured after being summoned in connection with a narcotics inquiry in February 2023. His wife’s attempts to file an FIR for custodial torture were unsuccessful, while the police instead registered a case against him for an alleged suicide attempt. The high court refused to quash the FIR, prompting him to approach the top court.

The matter is now listed before the Supreme Court on November 17 for the submission of a status report.