Collector told to order magisterial probe

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, FEB.12 The Home Minister, Mr. T. Devender Doud, on Monday directed the Hyderabad Collector, Mr. Rajeshwar Tiwari, to order a magisterial enquiry into the death under suspicious circumstances of Jaffar, a suspect in a theft case, on February 11, while in the custody of Chikkadpally police.

He told reporters at the police station after a "surprise" inspection that after the enquiry and the post-mortem report which are expected within 10 days, strong action would be taken against the police personnel if they were found to be responsible for the death. Both reports would be made public.

Relatives of Jaffar, who is employed as driver by Prof. Subashchandra Reddy of Jawaharnagar, allege that he died after severe beating by the police. They also charge that the suspect was kept in the police station for two days and when he was brought home handcuffed on Sunday there were marks of injury on the body.

Denying the allegation, the police maintain that Jaffar consumed poison out of fear after learning that the police were going to his house. They contend that the victim was not home when efforts were made twice to locate him in the house. They said Jaffar was shifted by the police, after he consumed poison, to Gandhi Hospital where he died later.

The Minister stated that he had made the surprise inspection to drive home the message that the Government viewed the issue seriously since it involved loss of a "precious" life. He had read the news in the morning papers. The inspection was also intended to find out from the City Police Commissioner, Mr. P. Ramulu, who was present in the police station, the circumstances leading to the death. The Police Commissioner would also be asked to look into the matter and take action he deemed fit.

Following Jaffar's death "which was most unfortunate and caused deep anguish to me", the Minister stated that he had given instructions that senior police officers should regularly check lock-ups throughout the State and review the prevailing conditions there.

Mr. Goud counselled the police officers to shun actions like assaulting the suspects as they would bring a bad name to the entire department.

Departmental probe

The Police Commissioner, Mr. Ramulu, said that in view of the allegations that Mohd. Jaffar died in the lock-up, the investigation had been entrusted to the CI, Nallakunta.

In a press release, he stated that the inquest would be conducted by an executive magistrate. A team of doctors would be requested to conduct the post-mortem. The post mortem would be videographed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Human Rights Commission, the release added.

Ex-gratia sought

Dr. K. Laxman, deputy floor leader of the BJP, on Monday demanded a detailed and thorough enquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of Mohd.Jaffar in the custody. He sought action against the persons responsible.

In a statement, the MLA while condemning the death, demanded Rs. 1 lakh as ex-gratia. He expressed surprise that Jaffar had no previous crime record, while noting that the victim had been taken into custody on charges of lifting car stereo.

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Section  : Southern States
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