CBI begins probe into custodial torture of J&K constable

SRINAGAR: A CBI team reached Srinagar on Monday and began its investigation into the alleged custodial torture of J&K Police constable Khursheed Ahmad Chohan in Kupwara in 2023.

Officials said, following Supreme Court directive , CBI registered a case on July 26 against six J&K Police personnel, including DSP Aijaz Ahmad Naiko and SI Riyaz Ahmad, posted at the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) in Kupwara in Feb 2023. The FIR against them includes charges of criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, and wrongful confinement for more than three days.

After Chohan filed a petition, the Supreme Court, on July 21, ordered CBI to register a case about illegal detention and custodial torture at JIC from Feb 20 to Feb 26, 2023. Chohan had earlier approached J&K High Court seeking registration of FIR, but his plea was dismissed, prompting him to move apex court.

The CBI's FIR includes translation of a complaint filed by Chohan’s wife, Rubeena Akhter, on March 1, 2023. She had filed the complaint in Urdu, which CBI translated in English and made it part of the FIR.

In her complaint, she stated her husband was illegally detained and subjected to brutal torture. She alleged Chohan was beaten with iron rods and wooden sticks, given electric shocks and left in a near-death condition. She alleged his private part was severed, iron rods inserted into his body, red chili powder forced into his rectum, and repeatedly electrocuted.

In its order, SC directed CBI to arrest those responsible "forthwith and not later than a period of one month.” The court has given the agency a 90-day deadline to complete the investigation.