Brutal custodial torture
On 28th May 2010 at around 5 pm while Mr. Kamarujjaman Biswas and Mr. Asadul Sarder were roaming at Dhanirampur market area under Jalangi police station were caught by a police team of Jalangi police station (PS) led by Mr. Debashis Sarkar; the Officer-in-Charge of said PS. They were taken to the police station thereafter without preparing any memo of arrest at the spot of arrest. It was reported that they were brutally tortured at the PS. The family members of those victims alleged that both of them were made unclothed and then hanged from the roof of the PS and were assaulted physically by sticks. They were also beaten harshly by lying on a table. It was resulted Haematoma at different parts of their bodies. In addition of that the severely injured and bleeding victims were not provided any food for more than 36 hours. On 30th May, i.e. after more than 36 hours they were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Behrampore, Murshidabad after initiating a criminal case vide no 339/10 dated 29.05.2010 under sections 25/27/35 arms act. Police appealed before the magistrate to take them in remand for 14 days; but the remand was allowed for 6 days and the Investigating officer (IO) of the case was directed to produce them before the magistrate again on 5th June 2010.
On 2nd June 2010 Ms. Injira Bewa mother of Asadul filed a petition before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Behrampore, Murshidabad mentioning about the ill treatments were committed upon both the victims by the personnel of Jalangi PS. The CJM asked Dr. B.L.Meena;IPS, Superintendent of Police, Murshidabad to take necessary action in regard to the petition. The Sub Divisional Police Officer, Domkal also directed to submit a report on basis of the said complaint.
On 5th June while the victims were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Behrampore, Murshidabad the advocate of the victims filed bail petition on behalf of them and narrated briefly about the torture was committed upon them. As a result the IO was asked to appear before the court on 11th June 2010 by the Magistrate. Victims were sent to Judicial Custody and were asked to produce before court on the same day, i.e. on 11.06.2010.
On 11.06.2010 Assistant Sub Inspector of Jalangi PS Mr. Sujay Roy, the IO of the case appeared before the court submitted report that no torture was inflicted upon the victims. The Chief Judicial Magistrate also accepted his statement as true. At the same time the magistrate instructed the IO to remain cautious in future and also directed the Officer-in-Charge to remain vigilant more cautiously in future in such matters. Here one doubt is raising that if no torture was inflicted then why the magistrate tried to warn them by saying ‘remain cautious in future’.
Those victims were again produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate on 29.06.2010 and again their bail petitions were rejected and again were sent to Jail. The Superintendent of Behrampore Central Correction Home was directed to provide all necessary medical care for the victims and the said official was directed to submit report about the physical condition of the victims on 19th July 2010. Finally those victims got bail on 09th July 2010.