Theft Suspect Dies While in Police Custody in Ramban, J&K; Inquiry Initiated
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Synopsis
Officials in Jammu and Kashmir have announced a magisterial investigation following the death of a theft suspect in police custody in Ramban district. This decision comes amid rising concerns regarding police conduct after previous controversial fatalities.
Key Takeaways
- Magisterial inquiry launched into custodial death.
- Death of theft suspect raises concerns over police conduct.
- Two recent controversial deaths have intensified scrutiny on law enforcement.
- Inquiry officer appointed to investigate circumstances leading to death.
- Previous incidents of police brutality raise alarm.
Jammu, Feb 19 (NationPress) On Wednesday, officials mandated a magisterial inquiry into the death of a theft suspect while in police custody in the Ramban district of J&K. A directive from the district magistrate (DM) of Ramban stated, "Sh. Rizwan Asgar, JKAS, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Banihal is hereby designated as the inquiry officer to perform a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Sh. Mohd Abid, son of Mohd Aslam, a resident of Thopal Tehsil Batote District, Ramban, which occurred on 18.02.2025 at CHC Batote."
The appointed inquiry officer will examine the factors and conditions that contributed to the death of the mentioned individual and will determine who is accountable. A report is to be submitted within one week from the issuance of this order.
The recent incident of custodial death follows two other contentious fatalities in J&K, raising serious concerns regarding the conduct of both the police and the army.
On February 4, Waseem Ahmad, a civilian truck driver, was fatally shot by the Army in the Sangrama area of Sopore. The Army claimed the truck driver failed to stop at a checkpoint established due to intelligence reports of terrorist activity in the vicinity. However, Waseem’s family contested this account, alleging he was killed unjustifiably.
On February 6, 25-year-old Makhan Din from the Gujjar community took his own life by ingesting insecticides after reportedly suffering police abuse in Kathua’s Billawar area. Prior to his death, Makhan recorded a video asserting he had no ties to militants and was subjected to severe police mistreatment. In the 3.48-minute video recorded in a mosque, Makhan Din swears by the Almighty and the Prophet that he has never encountered militants.
“I was assaulted by the police at the station. They insisted that I confess. I told them the truth that I had never encountered militants. I was coerced into fabricating a story due to the relentless beatings from the officers,” stated Makhan Din, who was suspected of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW), in the widely circulated video.
“When I fabricated a narrative claiming I had seen militants and mentioned Swaru (his uncle who has been sent to Pakistan) without informing my family, they ceased the beatings. They allowed me to leave the next morning to retrieve my mobile phone for the police station,” he added.
