Masihuzzama Ansari
NEW DELHI—Shock and anger have gripped the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh after a 25-year-old Muslim youth was allegedly tortured to death in police custody at Padrauna.
Akhtar Hussain was lodged in Deoria Jail for the last one month. He was arrested on November 26 on charges of theft. The family alleged that he was tortured in custody after they failed to pay a bribe to cops.
The family shared a video that allegedly showed Akhtar’s body with injury marks.
In the video, the leg of the deceased was broken and there were serious injuries on his head. There was also a deep wound on the sole of the feet. The family also alleged that they were not given the post-mortem report.
On November 25, police arrested Akhtar from his home. When family members protested, police slapped theft charges on him. Police asked the family to visit the station the next day.
Talking to India Tomorrow, the family of the deceased alleged that the police at Padrauna Kotwali demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 to release Akhtar. When they did not pay, he was sent to Deoria Jail on November 27.
The family said Akhtar was falsely implicated and tortured in custody.
SI Rajesh Singh of Padrauna Kotwali, however, denied the allegation of bribery and termed it as baseless.
“The deceased was arrested on charges of theft. The deceased was a drug addict. He fell ill in jail. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment where he died,” he said.
The injuries on the body of the deceased were telling a different story.
The family was trying to get bail for the deceased when they came to know that he has died in custody.
Padrauna police informed the family members that their son’s health condition has deteriorated and that they should meet him in Deoria Jail. When the family members reached Deoria Jail, they were told that he is undergoing treatment in the hospital.
When the family members reached Deoria Hospital, they found him dead. Police told them that Akhtar’s health suddenly deteriorated and he was shifted to the hospital where he passed away.
“If we had paid Rs 50,000 to Padrauna police, then perhaps my son’s life would have been saved. Police had said that if you give Rs 50,000, we will release your son. When we expressed our inability to give money, Padrauna police lodged an FIR of theft on November 26, 2022, and sent my son to Deoria jail,” parents of the deceased said
Akhtar’s father Hasnain works as a labourer. He has three sons and three daughters. His two sons Afzal, 35, and Afroz 19, also work as labourers. Deceased Akhtar was the second of three sons.
Akhtar’s family is dependent on government rations and meagre daily wages. This family has not yet received the benefit of any government scheme.
The family of the deceased now wants justice for their son.
