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.
Deve Gowda hints at NDA tie-up for local body, Panchayat polls
Bengaluru: JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has indicated that the party is open to an understanding with the NDA in the upcoming local body, taluk and zilla panchayat elections.
Speaking to reporters at J.P. Bhavan on Wednesday, he said the JD(S) is a regional party, while the BJP is a national party. “We have to wait and see what decision they take regarding a pre-poll alliance. As far as local body elections are concerned, we will discuss the matter together before taking a decision,” he said.
Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s allegation that the JD(S) does not give positions to anyone outside the family, Deve Gowda said the charge has no substance. “My memory is still strong. I will respond to everything at the appropriate time,” he remarked.
He also said that a JD(S) convention will be held in Vijayapura on February 27 and that he has been invited to participate in the event.
