'Illegal' public parade, assault of accused by Surat police: Plea to DGP

By A Representative 

Mujahid Nafees, Convener of the Minority Coordination Committee (MCC), has submitted a representation to the Director General of Police (DGP), Gujarat, alleging that Surat police officers violated Supreme Court guidelines and a Gujarat DGP circular by allegedly assaulting accused persons in public during a police reconstruction exercise.

The complaint relates to an FIR registered at Salabatpura Police Station on July 13, 2026. Referring to media reports and videos circulated on July 14, Nafees alleged that the accused were publicly paraded and physically assaulted by police personnel during the reconstruction of the crime. According to the complaint, the accused belong to the Muslim minority community.

The representation alleges that the public parade, custodial assault, and alleged humiliation of the accused violated constitutional protections, the Supreme Court's landmark D.K. Basu guidelines on custodial safeguards, and a Gujarat DGP circular dated May 12, 2026, which reportedly prohibits the public beating of accused persons.

The complaint further states that the accused were allegedly forced to walk barefoot before a large crowd, beaten with sticks and by hand, had their hair pulled, and were paraded in handcuffs despite not having been convicted by any court of law. It argues that such actions amount to extrajudicial punishment and undermine the rule of law.

Nafees has urged the DGP to initiate departmental, disciplinary, penal, and criminal proceedings against the police personnel responsible for the alleged custodial violence and public parade.

Mujahid Nafees said, "The police have no legal authority to publicly parade or assault accused persons in the name of reconstruction. Every accused is entitled to dignity, due process, and a fair trial until proven guilty. We have requested the DGP to take immediate action against the officers responsible for these alleged violations of Supreme Court guidelines and the Gujarat Police circular."

The complaint warns that if appropriate action is not taken, the complainant will pursue further legal remedies in accordance with the law.

The allegations are based on the complaint submitted by Mujahid Nafees. The Gujarat Police had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of writing.