Police torture alleged behind four-member Andhra Muslim family's suicide

An Andhra family has in a video alleged police's brutal harassment before throwing themselves in front of a train. A week ago, a four-member Muslim family died by suicide after jumping in front of a goods train in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

Abdul Salam, an auto driver, his wife and two children were killed after jumping in front of a train near Panyam railway station. The incident happened on the 3rd of this month.

The deaths sparked controversy when their relatives released a video of Salam crying that he was being mentally and physically abused by the police in a fake case. The issue was taken up by the opposition Telugu Desam Party.

The Jagan Mohan Reddy government has suspended the two accused policemen after their arrest. Nandyal town police inspector Somasekhar Reddy and constable Gangadhar were accused of being responsible for the deaths of Salam (45), his wife Noor Jahan (38), and their children Salma (14) and Kalandar (10).

Salam had earlier worked in a jewelry shop in Rajkunta before becoming an auto driver. Police had then arrested Salam in his connection with the disappearance of three kilograms of gold from there. He was later released on bail. Salam was again remanded in police custody last week following a complaint by a passenger that Salam stole Rs 70,000 from him in an auto. Salam said in the video that in both cases, the police tortured him both mentally and physically.

"I didn't do anything wrong. I don't have to steal someone else's property. This persecution is unbearable. There is no one to help us. Only death can save us from this", says Salam in the video pleading and crying.

"When TDP's call for "Chalo Nandyal" to protest against the ruling party became strong, the accused policemen were arrested and suspended. IGB SP Bagchi and senior IPS officer, Arif Hafeez has been appointed in-charge for the detailed investigation." said DGP Gautam Sawang.