Six youths sexually abused in illegal custody; ASI suspended

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 6

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Narinder Singh, posted at Sanaur police station, has been suspended for allegedly torturing a group of local youths. One of the victims has been admitted to Government Rajindra Hospital. He alleged that he was beaten up and given poison by the cop.

The youth (name withheld) and his five friends were on their way back home late on Saturday night on two bikes when a police team led by the ASI stopped them at a naka as they were triple-riding. One of the youths pointed out that the ASI was drunk, which led to an altercation.

“The ASI started hurling abuse. One of us took out a mobile phone and started recording the conversation. The cop threatened to throw us into the lock-up,” the victim said.

He alleged that the ASI, along with two constables, took them in his Alto car to 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.

Parents of two of the youths said a fellow villager told them that cops were seen taking them to a police station. “When we reached the police station, the cops refused to let us enter,” they alleged.

The police took two of the victims to a hospital in the morning when they complained of breathlessness and severe pain in their private parts. One of them was discharged later. “We have suspended the erring ASI, who has been shifted to the Police Lines. I have marked a probe to the SP (City). He has been directed to submit his findings to me in three days,” said Patiala SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu.

A preliminary medical examination showed that there were injuries near the victim’s private parts.