Seven Muslims accused in Nuh violence tortured in jail, says family member

New Delhi: A family member of a person detained in connection with communal unrest in Haryana’s Nuh district has filed a complaint alleging that seven Muslim inmates were assaulted by jail staff on December 11.

These claims have led to an application before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking action against the police. However, authorities have refuted these allegations, dismissing them as baseless.

The incident stems from a clash that occurred on July 31 during the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, organised by the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The clash, initially in Nuh, escalated, affecting nearby areas like Gurugram, and resulting in widespread arson and attacks on Muslim residences and businesses.

Shokeen, one of the detainees related to the violence, was reportedly found severely injured when his father Khurshid visited him on December 13.

According to Khurshid's statement in the court application, Shokeen revealed that he and other inmates were beaten by several police officers, an incident purportedly captured on the prison’s CCTV cameras. The application further alleged mistreatment within the prison premises, claiming that inmates were coerced into a flour mill and subjected to torture, devoid of any medical attention.

Following the allegations, the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Nuh ordered a medical examination of the accused. However, the medical superintendent of the civil hospital in Mandikhera reported that the detainees sustained minor injuries, and their medical evaluation was completed at the hospital.

Contrary to the allegations, the jail superintendent's statement to the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court highlighted that the inmates exhibited disrespectful behavior toward prison officers, refusing to be counted with other inmates and demanding a shift back to a special ward. This disobedience led to disciplinary action, confining them to a security ward for jail discipline and maintaining peace.

The superintendent refuted claims of verbal or physical abuse by the jail staff, asserting that the inmates receive adequate medical care.

The matter was raised in the Haryana Legislative Assembly by Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed, urging an investigation by a retired High Court judge. The allegations of mistreatment and torture against the inmates in the wake of the communal violence have ignited calls for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.