Claims of custodial torture and youth’s suicide rock J-K’s Kathua, DM and police order enquiries

Police maintain Din died by suicide at home by consuming insecticide on Tuesday evening.

The DM has appointed Anil Kumar, tehsildar, Lohai Malhar, to conduct an enquiry to ascertain the cause of death and submit a “detailed report within five days”. “Needless to mention here that he shall take statements of all relevant persons and adopt all requisite procedures under relevant rules,” the DM’s order read.

The order followed a post on X by PDP chief and former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti that read: “Shocking news from Kathua: Makhan Din, aged 25 from Perody, Billawar, was detained by the SHO of Billawar on false charges of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW). He was reportedly subjected to brutal thrashing and torture, forced into a confession, and tragically found dead today. The area has been sealed off, and internet services have been cut, leading to widespread panic. There’s an ongoing crackdown, with more individuals being picked up.”

“This incident appears to follow a troubling pattern of targeting innocent youths on fabricated charges. I urge the DGP, J&K Police, to initiate an immediate investigation,” she wrote.

The Jammu and Kashmir police also have taken note of the incident. “Senior officers have ordered a departmental enquiry, which will be conducted by Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG, Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range,” a police statement said.

“The enquiry officer has been directed to submit his report at the earliest to higher-ups,” it said, asking people not to pay heed to rumours and to cooperate with the police.

Denying that charge of custodial killing, police said the deceased is the nephew of a Pakistan-based militant, Swar Din alias Swaru Gujjar.

The police claimed he had been helping a group that attacked an Army convoy at Badnota, in which four soldiers were killed in July 2024.

“There was no custodial torture or injury. He was questioned and then got exposed, went home and committed suicide,” the police statement read.

A senior officer said Din was picked up for questioning earlier too about his alleged militant links. The officer claimed Din was let go from the police station to bring his mobile phone from home. However, on reaching home, he allegedly consumed insecticide, the officer said.

Following his death, senior district officials went to Din’s residence and assured his family of a fair and transparent investigation.

Dr Rameshwar Singh, the MLA from Bani, told The Indian Express that Din was picked up by police along with his 65-year-old father from their home at Perody village near Billawar town on Tuesday night.

Quoting Murid, the MLA alleged the father and son were tortured at the police station the entire night. In the morning, Din was allowed to go home, and after some time, Murid was also let off.

I have seen the reports of excessive use of force & harassment of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar leading to his suicide and the death of Waseem Ahmed Malla, shot by the army under circumstances that are not entirely clear. Both these incidents are highly unfortunate and…

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 6, 2025

The MLA claimed Din had made a video of himself at a local mosque before committing suicide on Tuesday evening. As per the MLA, Din said in the video that he had been tortured and forced to confess to militant links.

“I have contacted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and narrated to him the entire episode,” he said.