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On SC order, CBI arrests DSP, 5 other J&K cops for ‘custodial torture’ of colleague

The arrested cops were posted at the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) in Kupwara, where Constable Khurshid Ahmad Chouhan, was allegedly tortured in February 2023.

On SC order, CBI arrests DSP, 5 other J&K cops for ‘custodial torture' of colleagueOfficials said a SIT headed by DSP Subash Chander called the accused policemen for questioning and arrested them.
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A month after it registered a FIR on Supreme Court’s directions in an alleged custodial torture case, the CBI arrested six policemen, including a DSP, on Wednesday.

Police sources said the Central agency arrested DSP Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh, Sub-Inspector Riyaz Ahmad, and four policemen — Imtiyaz Ahmad, Hajagnir Ahmad, Shakir Ahmad and Mohammad Younis. The arrested cops were posted at the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) in Kupwara, where Constable Khurshid Ahmad Chouhan, was allegedly tortured in February 2023.

Officials said a SIT headed by DSP Subash Chander called the accused policemen for questioning and arrested them. “The arrested cops have been kept in a Srinagar jail for now,” an official said. The cops have been booked for attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement and voluntarily causing hurt.

On July 21, the SC had handed over the investigation of the case to the CBI and ordered it to ensure that police personnel responsible for the custodial torture of Chouhan are arrested “forthwith and not later than a period of one month”. Furthermore, the apex court had set a deadline of 90 days for the CBI to complete the investigation from the date of FIR registration.

Terming the alleged custodial torture “deeply shocking” to its “conscience”, the SC had ordered a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to Chouhan. It also asked the CBI to “conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the systemic issues at the Joint Interrogation Centre, Kupwara”, including examination of all CCTV systems, interrogation of all personnel present during the relevant period, forensic examination of the premises, and review of all protocols and procedures followed for detention and interrogation of suspects”.

The alleged incident occurred in February 2023, when Chouhan was summoned to report at the Kupwara SSP office in connection with a narcotics issue. When he reached there, he was detained and allegedly tortured.

Chouhan was admitted to the Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar with severe injuries. Chouhan’s wife approached the J&K High Court seeking registration of a case against the policemen involved in the alleged torture of her husband. However, her plea was dismissed, prompting her to move the SC.

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Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. ... Read More

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