SIT to probe custodial torture charge against Gurugram cops

A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe allegations of wrongful confinement and assault levelled against four police officers posted at Bhondsi police station.

A lady assistant sub-inspector, a head constable, and two police officers were among the eight people who were booked for wrongfully confining a 35-year-old man in a cell at Bhondsi police station and allegedly stripping and beating him, first on July 19 and then on July 21.

The victim, Mangal Singh, a watchman at Sohna court, had claimed that he was stripped, beaten up and confined illegally in a cell on two separate occasions. He said that the police had also tried to extort money from him by threatening to falsely implicate him in a legal case.

Officials familiar with the case said that a four-member SIT — including the assistant commissioner of police(ACP), Sohna, and the station house officer, Sohna city — was formed on August 3, but the police are yet to begin the probe.

A senior police official, part of the SIT, said, “The investigation is yet to start, since the police have been busy in the security arrangements for the Kanwariya pilgrims.”

Dinesh Kumar, ACP, Sohna, said, “Strict action would be taken against the accused police officials if they are found guilty.”

On July 25, the case was registered after Mangal Singh had approached the Sohna court.

In his complaint, Singh had alleged that the two accused, identified as Ravi and Bhola, had recently been sentenced by the Sohna court to 18 months in jail with a fine of Rs 2,000 each, in a case involving Singh’s elder brother.

Singh had alleged that following the court sentence, Ravi and Bhola along with two aides, Rajpal and Kalu, had allegedly barged into his house in Bhondsi village on July 19.

The accused assaulted Singh, saying that since he worked at the court, he was responsible for their conviction.

Singh alleged that when he approached the police, the latter, instead of taking action against the four accused, took Singh to the police station on the pretext of a false complaint, stripped him, and beat him up. The police officers included a lady ASI, a head constable, and two officers who were dressed in mufti.

First Published: Aug 08, 2018 05:07 IST