Punjab & Haryana HC issues notices to 3 Ludhiana cops for alleged custodial torture of murder-accused man

Sanjeev Kumar, accused in the Sonam Jain killing, claims illegal detention, beatings, and electric shocks as well as threats of sexual violence against his mother. His counsel presents ‘before and after’ photos as the Punjab Government denies mistreatment.

Written by Manraj Grewal Sharma

November 13, 2025 02:49 PM IST

3 min read

According to the petition, the First Information Report (FIR No. 115/2025) was registered on June 21 at the Salem Tabri police station in Ludhiana against unknown people for the murder of one Sonam Jain.

Justice Suvir Sehgal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Punjab Government and three Ludhiana police officials on a petition filed by Sanjeev Kumar, a 40-year-old man accused of murder, alleging brutal custodial torture by the police to extract a false confession.

Kumar, who has no prior criminal record and is the sole breadwinner for his three minor daughters, alleges he was illegally detained on July 4, 2025, a day before his official arrest, and subjected to inhuman treatment including beatings, electric shocks to private parts, water submersion and threats of sexual violence against his mother.

The petition, filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution, describes the ordeal as a “flagrant violation” of Articles 21 and 22, invoking Supreme Court guidelines in D K Basu vs State of West Bengal (1997) on arrest safeguards.

According to the petition, the First Information Report (FIR No. 115/2025) was registered on June 21 at the Salem Tabri police station in Ludhiana against unknown people for the murder of one Sonam Jain. The complainant’s husband had identified an unidentified youth on CCTV footage entering the house with a bag. Kumar, a neighbour, was summoned on July 4 ostensibly for questioning but was taken to the office of the Criminal Investigation Agency (CIA) Staff, Ludhiana, where the torture allegedly began. His mother was allegedly summoned at midnight and forced to witness the assault, with officers threatening to “strip and violate” her unless he confessed.

‘Sham medical reports’ and visible bruises

“Sham medical reports” from Civil Hospital Ludhiana were procured to show no injuries, the petition states, but when he was produced before a magistrate on July 6, his family’s counsel highlighted visible bruises. A fresh examination ordered by the court confirmed electric burn marks and blunt force trauma, according to the petition. Further remand periods allegedly saw continued abuse, including sodomisation, with Kumar coerced to claim self-inflicted wounds.

During the hearing before Justice Suvir Sehgal, Kumar’s counsel, Rajat Malhotra, produced “before and after” photographs showing the extent of injuries, arguing it proved a cover-up and systemic abuse.

The plea seeks a court-monitored judicial inquiry, registration of an FIR against four named officers (the CIA in-charge, SHO Amritpal Singh Grewal, ASI Balbir Singh, and constable Manoj Kumar) under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions for torture and intimidation, transfer of the murder probe to an independent agency or a Special Investigation Team, Rs 5 lakh in interim compensation, and a fresh medical board examination at PGIMER Chandigarh to assess long-term effects.

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The Government’s counsel countered the allegations vehemently, asserting that CCTV footage from the crime scene implicated Kumar and that he was housed in an “ordinary cell” with no opportunity for torture. “There is irrefutable evidence against the petitioner in the murder, and all procedures were followed,” the state submitted, denying any illegal detention or violence.

The court has sought responses from the respondents within two weeks, with the next hearing fixed for January 28.

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