Gujarat HC to hear plea in custodial torture case of Muslim minor from Botad
Ahmedabad: The family of a 17-year-old Muslim boy from Botad, Gujarat, who was allegedly subjected to custodial torture, has approached the Gujarat High Court after the Supreme Court redirected the case. The matter is listed for hearing on Monday, October 6.
The minor was detained by Botad police last month on suspicion of theft. His family alleges he was illegally confined for over 10 days, beaten, threatened with sexual assault, subjected to electric shocks, and denied food and water.
He was later admitted to Zydus Hospital in Ahmedabad in critical condition. According to the petition, he suffered kidney failure, seizures, temporary loss of eyesight, and severe mental trauma before being discharged to recover at home.
“My brother was taken in for no crime, beaten mercilessly, and left fighting for his life. We want justice and accountability,” his sister, the petitioner, said.
The plea seeks a court-monitored probe by either a special investigation team or the Central Bureau of Investigation, along with compensation and disciplinary action against the police officers involved. It also demands counselling and protection for the boy.
Represented by advocates Rohin Bhatt, Maharshi H. Patel, and Priyanka V. Limbachiya, the petition argues that the case reflects violations of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which mandates that minors be placed under a child welfare officer and produced before a Juvenile Justice Board within 24 hours.
Instead, the petition states, the boy was kept in a lock-up and tortured, contrary to Supreme Court precedents such as D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal and Munshi Singh Gautam v. State of Madhya Pradesh, which established custodial violence as a violation of fundamental rights. It further cites non-compliance with the Arnesh Kumar guidelines on arrests, making the detention illegal under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
“Every child has a fundamental right to life, and the State has a duty to protect it. Arbitrary actions like this damage public trust in the justice system and give a wrong message to those in uniform that they are above the law,” advocate Rohin Bhatt told Maktoob.
He added, “Police excesses and maltreatment of detainees are extremely dangerous. If such acts go unchecked, the very foundations of our justice system will be shaken, leading to chaos and authoritarianism.”
The petition, running over 300 pages, concludes that courts must handle such cases with “seriousness and sensitivity” to prevent erosion of public confidence in the judiciary.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
