Nearly 13 days after his illegal detention by the J.C. Nagar police in connection with a jewellery heist, 35-year-old Bam Bahadur, a Nepali watchman, was found on Saturday in the police station lock-up by a team from the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) that conducted a raid on the J.C. Nagar Police Station.
Mr. Bahadur, who could barely stand and was gasping for breath, tried but could not say his name for several moments when asked to identify himself.
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Mr. Bahadur, who said he had been illegally detained since August 22, wept uncontrollably and had clearly been battered by the police.
With days of stubble on his face, burn marks on his forearms and swollen hands, Mr. Bahadur gave details of the alleged torture at the hands of the police.
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He took nearly half an hour to collect himself before giving a statement to the six-member KSHRC team.
The Hindu had exposed the illegal detention of the Nepali watchman as also the detention of several other Nepalis in this case, earlier.
Mr. Bahadur alleged that he had been severely beaten, burnt, and bound with ropes in various positions.
Chilli powder had been smeared on his private parts, and other instruments of torture had been used to abuse him sexually.
He also identified five personnel of the police station who allegedly tortured him.
The raid took place around 2.30 p.m. immediately after KSHRC Chairperson S.R. Nayak directed the intervention based on a written complaint. Sub-Inspector Amol Kale of the J.C. Nagar Police Station was present during the raid.
Records different
Though Mr. Bahadur said he had been picked up by the police on August 22, the KSHRC Registrar, who was part of the team, said police records showed that he was brought to the police station at 7 p.m. on September 2. However, when The Hindu visited the J.C. Nagar police station on August 31, Mr. Bahadur was spotted in the lock-up.
Charged with theft
Meanwhile, the J.C. Nagar police have charged Mr. Bahadur with motor vehicle theft under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code.
Soon after the raid, Mr. Bahadur was produced before a magistrate, who directed that he be given medical attention. He has been remanded in judicial custody till September 17.
Inquiry likely
The KSHRC is also scheduled to hold an inquiry into the case.
Police claim ignorance
Meanwhile, a top police official claimed ignorance about the torture. “I do not know the details. If there is any fault on the part of the police, disciplinary action will be initiated,” he said.