India: Human Rights Bodies Act on Allegations of Police Torturing Muslim Men

India: Human Rights Bodies Act on Allegations of Police Torturing Muslim Men
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Both the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Uttar Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) have issued notices to the Bareilly Police in India regarding possible violation of Muslim’s human rights, according to a report by Maktoob Media. The action comes in response to serious allegations of illegal detention and torture of seven Muslim men.

The notices were prompted by a complaint from Parveen Akhtar, the wife of one of the detainees, Mehmood Beg. The family claims the men were unlawfully picked up on August 28 by the police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) in plain clothes, without any official warrants. Akhtar stated that police demanded a ransom of one lakh rupees for her husband’s release and that she fears for his life.

The detainees’ families have alleged that the men were subjected to severe beatings and electric shocks and were forced to sign blank papers or confessions. The NHRC has ordered the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Bareilly to conduct an investigation and submit a detailed report. The Allahabad High Court has also intervened, summoning senior police officials to appear in court and produce the detainees, stating that if the allegations are true, they represent a “grave violation of fundamental rights.”