Custodial death of 22 YO Minhaj Ansari: Shatrughan Sinha demands ‘stern action’ against the police

Patna: Shatrughan Sinha (MP and former Bollywood star) has appealed for ‘stern deterrent action’ against the police personnel responsible for the custodial death of 22 year old Minhaj in Jharkhand.

The deceased was arrested on 3rd Oct in Jamtara district of BJP-ruled Jharkhand for allegedly sharing an image of a slaughtered cow along with an objectionable comment which according to the police, had the potential to stoke communal tension. Minhaj was allegedly beaten and tortured by the police following which he lost consciousness and was subsequently taken to three different hospitals. On 9th Oct he died at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi.

According to the FIR lodged on 6th Oct, his mother was told by the doctors that Minhaj has slipped into coma as a result of internal injuries sustained due to torture.

This is the second incident of loss of life due to police torture in recent times which has hogged media’s attention. Recently the entire family of suspended Central government bureaucrat B.K. Bansal had committed suicide allegedly due to pressure and torture of probing CBI team.

Unconscious Minhaj Ansari being presented by police before media in Jamtara on 4th Oct. He was arrested on 3rd Oct and allegedly tortured at local police station. He died at hospital in Ranchi on 9 Oct.
Unconscious Minhaj Ansari being presented by police before media in Jamtara on 4th Oct. He was arrested on 3rd Oct and allegedly tortured at local police station. He died at hospital in Ranchi on 9 Oct.

Shatrughan Sinha, MP of Patna Sahib constituency appealed to the ‘dashing’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring to book the culprits behind both the incidents in a series of tweets:

“Bring culprits to the book with stern deterrent action.”

“High time & right time to get professionals with integrity and humane touch in CBI & Police.”

“Every interrogation needs to be recorded on CCTV.”

In the meanwhile officer-in-charge of Narayanpura police station, Sub-Inspector Harish Pathak has been suspended and an FIR for murder (and for outraging the modesty of a woman) has been registered against him.

“While an inquiry is on, the medical reports indicate that Ansari was suffering from encephalitis. It appears that the officer-in-charge did not check on this,” said Jamtara SP Manoj Kumar Singh.

A joint inquiry by the Sub Divisional Officer and Sub Divisional Police Officer has been ordered and security has been deployed in Minhaj Ansari’s village. A compensation of Rs 2 lakh has been given to his family.

Courtesy: MM