Dholpur Court Orders Probe Against Police Over Alleged Illegal Detention and Custody Torture

Bari, Dholpur. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court in Bari has expressed severe displeasure over police conduct following allegations of illegal detention and physical abuse. The court proceedings, which lasted from 3:00 PM until 10:00 PM on Thursday, centered on a case involving a 19-year-old youth accused of motorcycle theft. Judge Dr. Siddharth Shankar Sharma questioned the procedural lapses, noting that the accused was held in police custody for three days without being produced before the court, despite the recovery of the stolen vehicle.

During the hearing, the accused testified that he was subjected to physical assault while in custody. Furthermore, legal counsel representing the youth alleged that the police had detained his father overnight at the station prior to the son's surrender, releasing him only after the youth turned himself in. The court also examined the circumstances surrounding the detention of a minor involved in the same case, reviewing affidavits and documents submitted by the families involved.

The investigation officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector Suresh Chandra, faced intense questioning from the bench regarding the timeline and legality of the detention. The court found the explanations provided by the officer and the Station House Officer, Mahendra Sharma, who arrived later in the evening, to be unsatisfactory. Citing Supreme Court guidelines on custodial rights, the magistrate declared the police action prima facie illegal and ordered the immediate release of the accused.

In a significant move, the court has directed that a formal case be registered against the investigation officer and the station head for the alleged fabrication of evidence and misuse of legal processes. The court further mandated that the Superintendent of Police, along with senior officials including the Range IG and the Additional Director General of Vigilance, appoint a special investigation officer to conduct a thorough inquiry. A comprehensive report on the findings must be submitted to the ACJM court to ensure accountability in the handling of the case.