Kheda flogging incident: Gujarat HC seeks govt’s clarification

Ahmedabad: Following a contempt petition filed by the victims of an alleged flogging incident in Gujarat’s Kheda last year, the division bench of Gujarat High Court has sought clarification from the government regarding the matter.

However, the state refrained from directly addressing the court’s query.

The contempt petition was filed by four Muslim victims and a woman who claimed illegal detention, alleging that the police did not adhere to the D.K. Basu guidelines set by the Supreme Court for arrest and detention procedures.

According to the petitioners, on October 4, 2022, they were brought to Masjid Chowk in Undhela village, where they were tied to a pole and subjected to a severe beating by 13 police personnel wielding lathis. The entire incident was captured on video and circulated by the police themselves.

The court on Monday adjourned the matter for further consideration on Thursday (July 6), allowing the state to present additional material to support its position.

The petition named 15 police personnel, including the Ahmedabad range Inspector General (IG), Kheda Superintendent of Police (SP), constables from Matar police station, and officers from the local crime branch.

The division bench, comprising Justices A.S. Supehia and M.R. Mengdey, took up the matter on July 3.

The state’s public prosecutor, Mitesh Amin, argued that the alleged flogging incident followed a previous incident of stone pelting at a communally sensitive area.

Amin emphasized that controlling the law and order situation took precedence over strictly adhering to the D.K. Basu guidelines.

Justice Supehia requested a specific statement from the state regarding the occurrence of the incident and emphasized that the court needed a clear affirmation or denial of the incident.

The court acknowledged the importance of controlling communal sensitivity but highlighted the need to address the incident and its legality.

With inputs from IANS