Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe into Allegations of Police Torture in Jammu and Kashmir

The CBI is investigating six Jammu and Kashmir Police officials accused of torturing Constable Khursheed Ahmad Chohan. The Supreme Court ordered the probe after rejecting local authorities' suicide attempt claims. The Court emphasized the severe nature of injuries as indicative of custodial torture and awarded Rs 50 lakh compensation to Khursheed.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked six officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Police for allegedly subjecting Constable Khursheed Ahmad Chohan to severe custodial torture two years ago. This follows an order from the Supreme Court, which condemned the brutality described in the complaint filed by Chohan's wife.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Aijaz Ahmad Naiko and five others face accusations of using iron rods, wooden sticks, and electric shocks on Chohan over six days, with particularly grievous injuries cited in the case. The officials allegedly subjected Chohan to horrifying abuse, including the mutilation of his genitalia and the insertion of red pepper. The complaint claims that the torture was connected to an investigation into a narcotics case.

The Supreme Court criticized the local law enforcement and judicial bodies for their handling of the matter, underscoring the severity of the crime and the apparent cover-up attempts. The Court overruled claims that Chohan's injuries were self-inflicted and awarded him Rs 50 lakh in compensation, recoverable from the responsible officers. A thorough CBI investigation is underway.

(With inputs from agencies.)