Sabnaj Khatun has lodged a complaint in Islampur Police Station against two civic volunteers, two sub-inspectors, two assistant sub-inspectors, and an officer of the Islampur Sub-Divisional Correctional Center.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The alleged torture of a Muslim couple in West Bengal’s Islampur city on October 27 has taken a decisive turn with Calcutta High Court directing the filing of an FIR against seven police officers, including the Islampur police station IC.
The couple, accused of theft, claim they were brutally beaten in custody, with Mohammad Shahjamal stating his kidneys were affected.
Following the high court’s ruling, Sabnaj Khatun, wife of Shahjamal, has on Sunday lodged a complaint in Islampur Police Station against two civic volunteers, two sub-inspectors, two assistant sub-inspectors, and an officer of the Islampur Sub-Divisional Correctional Center, media reports reaching here on Wednesday said.
The incident traces its roots to a theft at the house of Gurudas Saha, a Trinamool councillor and lawyer. It is alleged that gold jewellery worth around Rs 6 lakh and other items were stolen. Shahjamal, a resident of the same area, and his wife, Khatun, were picked up by the police on suspicion of theft. Khatun was released a couple of days later, The Observer Post said.
Shahjamal was produced before the Islampur sub-divisional court, which sent him to a 10-day police remand. Allegedly he was mercilessly beaten in police custody.
Owing to serious injuries on his body, the police were forced to admit Shahjamal to Islampur sub-divisional hospital on November 2. Later, he was shifted to North Bengal Medical College Hospital in critical condition. However, the court granted bail to Shahjamal on December 21.
Shahjamal’s family alleged that his kidneys were damaged by “torture inflicted by the police”. His wife filed a case in the Calcutta High Court seeking justice.
On January 5, the high court ordered the filing of a complaint against the police at Islampur Police Station. As per the court order, Khatun filed a complaint against seven policemen at Islampur Police Station on Sunday.
Khatun maintains her innocence. “We were not involved in the theft in any way. But the police arrested me and my husband on false charges. After this, the police officers on duty tortured my husband inhumanely. My husband’s kidneys were damaged by the police. In this situation, I approached the Calcutta High Court in the hope of justice. Following the court’s order, I have lodged a complaint against seven people, including the police officer, at Islampur police station.”