Family of Pulwama man who died in custody alleges police threatened to frame him for militancy

The death of Imtiyaz Ahmad Pala, a 38-year-old electrician from Bandina village, Pulwama, under police custody, has once again shed light on the alleged illegal custodial deaths and the practice of burying suspected militants killed in alleged encounters with security forces in unmarked graveyards in Kashmir, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370.

Pala, a father of two and the sole breadwinner for his family was taken into custody on June 2 during a search operation in Grawgund village. His subsequent death has led to accusations of severe torture at the hands of security personnel.

The Wire quoted his family saying that Pala was taken from his home by security forces ostensibly to assist with a dysfunctional generator. When he did not return, his family searched for him and eventually filed a missing person report.

The next day, police summoned Pala’s father-in-law, Ghulam Hassan, asking him to bring Pala’s mobile phone to the Pulwama police lines. Despite Hassan’s pleas to see Pala, he was informed that Pala’s condition was serious and he was denied access.

On June 4, Hassan’s attempts to meet Pala were again thwarted, and he was instead directed to the Srinagar Police Control Room. There, Hassan claims he was presented with a harrowing ultimatum: either Pala would be implicated in a militancy case and buried in a distant unmarked grave, or he could sign a document accepting a drug-related charge in exchange for Pala’s body being returned to the family for burial. Hassan, under duress, chose the latter, The Wire report suggested.

Post-mortem examinations reportedly revealed severe injuries, including a deep head wound and genital trauma, suggesting torture, according to the report. The police handed over Pala’s body late at night on June 4, after the family had prepared his grave. Hassan mentioned that Pala’s undergarments were stained with blood and chilli powder, which he buried along with him to avoid further distress to the family.

Unnamed police sources denied the torture allegations, asserting that Pala was questioned in connection with an ongoing case filed at the Litter police station, and his condition deteriorated during this process.

Senior Superintendent of Police P.D. Nitya confirmed that Pala was in custody following the registration of an FIR, but did not provide details about the cause of death or the reason for transferring his body to Srinagar for post-mortem.

Pala’s death comes amidst growing scrutiny of custodial practices in the region, especially following the abrogation of Article 370. Reports of torture and extrajudicial actions have raised human rights concerns, with families of the deceased often facing threats and intimidation.

Pala’s case is particularly poignant given his role as the only provider for his wife, ailing father, and unmarried sister, who are now left without support.

The case against Pala was filed under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, although it remains unclear if he was directly named as an accused. Family sources allege that Pala and another man, also an electrician, were tortured in a local plywood factory, leading to their unconsciousness.