A legal contempt notice has been issued to senior Gujarat government and police officials over allegations of custodial torture and public assault in connection with an incident reported from Ahmedabad’s Vejalpur area earlier this month.
According to a press note issued by the Minority Coordination Committee (MCC) Gujarat, the notice has been sent by MCC convener Mujahid Nafees to the Gujarat Chief Secretary, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department), the Director General of Police, and the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner. The notice seeks immediate departmental, disciplinary, penal and criminal action against police personnel allegedly involved in the incident near Sonal Cinema in Vejalpur on May 7.
The MCC stated that video clips, photographs and newspaper reports related to the incident have circulated widely in the public domain and contain allegations of custodial violence and public assault by police personnel. The notice claims that police officers tied the hands of accused Mohammad Aziz Sheikh, also referred to as Rais Sheikh in the complaint, to the bonnet of a police vehicle and assaulted him publicly.
The organisation alleged that the incident amounted to “illegal and extra-judicial punishment” in violation of constitutional protections and human rights principles. It said that public humiliation, assault or custodial violence against any accused person without due legal process constituted a serious violation of the right to life, liberty and dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The MCC further alleged that despite the circulation of videos and media reports, no transparent or effective action had so far been initiated against the police personnel concerned. It described this as a failure on the part of authorities responsible for maintaining law and order.
In the notice, Nafees has demanded an independent and impartial inquiry into the incident and activation of all investigation and monitoring mechanisms under the jurisdiction of the concerned authorities. The organisation has also called for disciplinary proceedings, penal measures and other legal action against the police personnel found responsible.
The press note, dated May 22, said a copy of the legal contempt notice had been attached along with links to videos related to the incident.
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