Mumbai CBI court convicts two policemen for torturing detainee to death, sentences them to 7 years
Mumbai: In a rare conviction for custodial torture, a special CBI court in Mumbai on Tuesday sentenced two police officials to seven years’ imprisonment for assaulting detainee Altaf Shaikh, who later died in custody on September 11, 2009. The court also imposed a fine of ₹62,000 on each of the convicted officers, directing that ₹1 lakh be paid to Shaikh’s mother, Mehrunissa Kadir Shaikh.
Convicted officers and case background
The convicted policemen, Sub-Inspector Sanjay Khedekar (55) and Head Constable Raghunath Kolekar (62), were found guilty under Section 330 of the Indian Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt to extort a confession. A third accused, Police Naik Sayaji Thombare, died in 2023 during the pendency of the trial.
The officers were not arrested during the investigation as the offence was bailable. The case was initially registered after Shaikh’s mother approached the Bombay High Court, which ordered a CBI inquiry in October 2009.
While acquitting the officers of murder charges, the court observed that Shaikh’s death was due to “respiratory failure resulting from the combined effect of Alprazolam toxicity, ethyl alcohol, and lung pneumonia.” However, it accepted that Shaikh was indeed assaulted in police custody, sustaining injuries that could not be adequately explained.
According to the CBI, Shaikh, a driver by profession, had several theft cases registered against him and had been externed to Jalna. On the morning of September 11, 2009, Khedekar, Kolekar, and Thombare allegedly assaulted him at his residence and on the road before taking him to Ghatkopar Police Station. By 9 a.m., he was found unresponsive and was declared dead on arrival at Rajawadi Hospital.
A magistrate’s order in November 2013 added the charges of murder and custodial assault to the case. The prosecution, represented by Sunil Gonsalves and Abhijeet Sarnobat, examined 29 witnesses, including the victim’s family and eyewitnesses.
Although the inquest panchnama found no external injuries, the post-mortem report noted scalp contusions and internal haemorrhage. Forensic experts differed on whether the head injury or toxic substances caused death. AIIMS experts concluded that respiratory failure due to combined toxicity and pneumonia was likely.
Given the conflicting medical opinions, the court extended the benefit of doubt to the accused on the murder charge but held them guilty of custodial assault.
Following the verdict, Shaikh’s mother expressed dissatisfaction, stating she plans to appeal for an enhanced sentence. She recounted the hardship faced during the long legal battle, saying she and her daughter balanced household work with continuous court appearances over the years.
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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).
