Gujarat: 17-year-old Muslim boy critical after alleged custodial torture
Ahmedabad: A 17-year-old Muslim boy is in critical condition at a private hospital in Ahmedabad after his family alleged that he was illegally detained, beaten, sexually abused, and denied medical treatment during nine days in police custody in Gujarat’s Botad district.
The teenager, identified as Makhiala, was the sole breadwinner for his grandparents and two sisters after the death of his parents. According to his family, Botad Town police detained him on August 19 on suspicion of theft but failed to produce him before a magistrate. They claim he was tortured until he suffered kidney failure.
Police officials have denied arresting or detaining him. A district officer contacted through phone by The Maktoob Media refuted the allegations but declined to provide his name.
Family members allege that officers from the police station’s D-staff unit picked him up from a local fair. For two days they believed he was missing, until police informed them he was being questioned. The family says he was beaten daily for nine days, while his grandfather, who tried to intervene, was also assaulted and kept in custody for six days.
When his condition worsened, police reportedly shifted him to Botad Civil Hospital between August 28 and September 1, telling the family he had been bitten by a snake or insect. Later, he was moved to Zydus Hospital in Ahmedabad, where doctors confirmed severe injuries and kidney damage. He remains unconscious and on dialysis.
The boy’s uncle further alleged that police took ₹50,000 saved by his sisters under the guise of investigation.
A video of his grandparents and sister accusing police of torture has gone viral, sparking outrage on social media. The Gujarat-based Minority Coordination Committee (MCC) has written to the Director General of Police demanding suspension of the officers, preservation of CCTV footage from the police station, and an independent medical examination.
“This culture of impunity must end. The guilty police personnel should be punished,” said Mujahid Nafees of MCC, accusing the police of violating the Supreme Court’s DK Basu guidelines on custodial safeguards.
This is not the first such case in Botad. In 2023, a Muslim youngster, Kalu Padharshi, was allegedly beaten to death in custody. Three policemen were later jailed in connection with that incident.
Makhiala’s family has also approached the Juvenile Justice Board alleging sexual abuse but say their complaint was dismissed after officials claimed he was not a minor. His relatives insist they want justice, not money.
“We will go to every extent to get justice for our beloved child,” said his uncle.
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Businessman burnt to death as moving car catches fire in Noida
Noida (PTI): A 46-year-old businessman was burnt to death after his moving car caught fire in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar district, police said on Tuesday.
According to police, the victim was identified as Rajkumar Singhal, who was engaged in the paint business. The incident occurred late on Monday night near Sorkha village under the Sector 113 police station area.
Station House Officer Krishna Gopal Sharma said Singhal was driving towards Parthala Chowk when his vehicle suddenly caught fire for reasons yet to be ascertained.
Singhal was unable to get out of the car and died in the blaze, the SHO said.
Fire tenders reached the spot after receiving information, but the car had already been gutted, police said. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination and an investigation is underway.
Police suspect the presence of paint or other inflammable material in the car may have caused the fire to spread rapidly.
