The CBI on Wednesday arrested eight police personnel, including at least two officers, in connection with the alleged custodial torture of a cop, following orders from the Supreme Court last month, officials said.
The arrested personnel include a Deputy Superintendent of Police, an Inspector, and an Assistant Sub-Inspector, officials added.
The accused police personnel have been directed to submit their weapons and other government-issued items to the respective District Police Lines.
One of the accused — a Special Police Officer (SPO) working on an honorarium — has been disengaged and removed from the SPO rolls. Further details are awaited, officials said.
The arrests follow a Supreme Court directive on July 21, ordering the CBI to register an FIR over the “brutal and inhuman custodial torture” of a police constable in Jammu and Kashmir. The Court also directed the UT administration to pay Rs 50 lakh in compensation to the victim.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta highlighted the severity of the torture, citing injuries inflicted during illegal detention, including mutilation of genitalia, use of pepper/chilli powder, and electric shocks. The bench described these acts as a grave violation of human rights and said the case “shocks the conscience of this court.”
The bench further noted that the constable suffered life-debilitating injuries at the hands of fellow state actors, and despite repeated complaints, no effective redressal was provided, calling the violation of Article 21 “egregious and evident.” (Agencies)
