“My son was killed in police custody,” says mother of 20-year-old from Bihar’s Siwan
Patna: The death of 20-year-old Faiz Anwar in police custody in Bihar’s Siwan district has sparked anger and demands for justice, with his family accusing the police of torture and cover-up, reported Maktoob Media.
Faiz, son of Mohammad Aslam and a resident of Mohiuddinpur, was arrested on July 31, 2025, in connection with a theft case. On August 2, police informed the family that he had died. They claimed he fell ill in jail, was taken to a hospital, and died by suicide there.
His family strongly disputes this version. They say Faiz had visible injuries, including deep marks on his neck, which suggest he was strangled.
Quoting Saif Ali, Faiz’s elder brother, Maktoob reported that he tried several times to meet his brother in custody but was turned away. On his final attempt, he saw police carrying a body out of the jail, without telling him it was Faiz. When he confronted them, they said Faiz had fallen in the jail hospital and was being taken for treatment.
At Siwan Sadar Hospital, Faiz was declared dead. “The hospital sent me to the police, and the police sent me back to the doctors. No one gave a clear answer,” Ali said.
The family then staged a protest outside the hospital with Faiz’s body, demanding an explanation. Only then, Ali says, did police claim Faiz had died by suicide.
They also accuse authorities of delaying the post-mortem report for over three days, a move legal experts say breaks the rules for custodial death cases and suggests a possible cover-up.
The family submitted a written complaint to Mofassil Police Station on August 8, 2025, but an FIR has still not been registered. In a letter to the District Magistrate, Faiz’s mother, Zaida Khatoon, alleged that her son was killed by police officials and demanded an investigation.
Maktoob reported that their calls to police were unanswered.
Ali is calling for a judicial inquiry, a CBI probe, and the immediate suspension of all officers involved in Faiz’s detention.
Advocate Kaif Hasan, who is helping the family, speaking to Maktoob called the case a “clear denial of justice” and stressed that the state must ensure transparency, conduct forensic tests, and order an independent investigation. He pointed out that Bihar has a history of custodial deaths caused by poor supervision, inadequate medical checks, or abuse.
It is still unknown whether CCTV cameras in the lock-up or hospital were working, or if a magistrate has inspected the site. No footage or official records have been shared with the family or their lawyers.
The family is demanding the release of all documents related to Faiz’s arrest, detention, hospital treatment, and death.
So far, no police officer has been suspended, questioned, or named in any inquiry. For Faiz’s family, still waiting for the post-mortem report and official answers, justice remains out of reach.
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'Homebound' makes it to Oscar shortlist for best international feature
Mumbai (PTI): Neeraj Ghaywan's much acclaimed "Homebound" is among the 15 films shortlisted in the best international feature category at the Oscars, moving a step close to the final five nominations and maybe a win.
The movie, inspired by a true story that became the basis of a news article during the pandemic, has been creating a global buzz since its debut in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival this May.
Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese is a fan and has come onboard as an executive producer ahead of the award season.
Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, "Homebound" is Ghaywan's second movie after "Masaan".
"Homebound" will compete for an Oscar nomination alongside Argentina's “Belén”, Brazil's “The Secret Agent”, French drama "It Was Just an Accident”, Germany's "Sound of Falling” and Iraq's "The President's Cake".
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The other movies in the shortlist include Japan's “Kokuho”, Jordan's “All That’s Left of You”, Norway's “Sentimental Value”, Palestine's “Palestine 36”, South Korean hit “No Other Choice”, Spain's “Sirat”, "Late Shift" from Switzerland, “Left-Handed Girl”from Taiwan and Tunisian drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in a release on Tuesday.
The award for best foreign film, now re-categorised as best international feature, has so far eluded India.
Only three Indian films have received nominations in the category -- Mehmood Khan’s “Mother India”, Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay” and Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “Lagaan”. Deepa Mehta’s “Water”, starring John Abraham and Lisa Ray, also received a nomination but it was submitted from Canada.
Gujarati film "Chhello Show" in 2023 was the last film to get shortlisted.
Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to get an Oscar, bagging the coveted prize in 1983 for the film "Gandhi". Other than her, A R Rahman, Resul Pukootty and M M Keeravani have also won individual Oscars.
Team "Homebound" celebrated the shortlist news with posts on social media.
"We made the shortlist... Way to go team Homebound'!" Johar shared in Instagram Stories.
In a post, the producer said it was difficult for him to articulate how "proud and elated" he was with the news.
"All of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography... thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true... from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film! Upwards and onwards...."
Ghaywan also shared the news on X.
"#Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world," he wrote on X with a special poster of the film.
Jethwa, who plays one of the two friends in the story opposite Ishaan Khatter, said the moment feels "surreal and incredibly humbling".
"To see 'Homebound' being shortlisted and progressing towards the Oscars is something I could have only dreamed of. I am deeply grateful for the love and support the film has received from audiences around the world," he said as he acknowledged Johar, Ghaywan and co-star Khatter and the rest of the team.
Khatter also shared the news on his Instagram stories and wrote, "Oscar ab dur nahi".
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"Homebound" is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's The New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home”, also titled "A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway".
The film portrays the childhood friendship between a Muslim and Dalit who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied due to their surnames.
The Academy on Tuesday also announced shortlists in 11 other categories, including the newly added casting Oscars, animated shorts, cinematography, documentary feature, documentary short, original score and song, sound and visual effects categories.
Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Twenty-four categories will be awarded at the 98th Oscars. Each category has five nominees, except for best picture, which has 10.
The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
