‘Beaten, nails broken’: Madhya Pradesh police look into claims of 3 Dalit men being tortured in custody
The men were arrested on August 6 for allegedly vandalising religious idols at two sculpture-making centres in the city’s industrial area.
The families alleged the three men were subjected to severe physical assault and torture while in police custody, including allegations of nail extraction.
Madhya Pradesh Police officials have called an investigation into allegations of custodial torture of three Dalit men in Dewas.
The men — Ravi Ajmeri (21), Ritesh Ajmeri (23) and Ritesh Sinam (23) — were arrested on August 6 for allegedly vandalising religious idols at two sculpture-making centres in the city’s industrial area.
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The statues of Lord Ganesha and a goddess were found damaged the previous day. Police registered a case and identified the suspects after examining footage from over 50 CCTV cameras in the vicinity.
Following their arrest and subsequent court appearance, the accused were sent to jail. However, after being granted bail, the families of the three men have come forward with serious allegations against the police.
Former Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Arun Yadav shared videos of the alleged victims on social media, writing: “At Bawadia police station in Dewas, 3 innocent Dalit children – Ritesh, Ravi, and Ritesh – were brutally beaten, subjected to third-degree torture, and even had their nails broken. When there is no evidence, why such inhuman torture? DGP Sir, immediately suspend the guilty police personnel, set up a high-level investigation, and give justice to the Dalit children.”
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The families alleged the three men were subjected to severe physical assault and torture while in police custody, including allegations of nail extraction.
SP Puneet Gehlot told The Indian Express that an independent investigation has been ordered. “The accused family has made claims that they suffered physical violence. Police arrested them and presented them in court after conducting a medical examination. They were sent to jail, and after bail, they are claiming that they were assaulted,” Gehlot stated.
He said the arrests were based on concrete evidence. “They were accused in idol-breaking cases. Based on CCTV footage, they were found to be involved and presented in court after being sent to jail. The family is making allegations, and we will independently investigate the case.”
The families alleged the three men were subjected to severe physical assault and torture while in police custody, including allegations of nail extraction. 
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