A shocking case of alleged police brutality has emerged from Samastipur district in Bihar, where an employee of a jewellery shop has accused officers at Tajpur police station of subjecting him to days of brutal torture, including the injection of petrol into his private parts. The incident, stemming from the theft of gold and silver worth lakhs, has prompted a high-level probe and plans for an appeal to the Human Rights Commission.
Victim's Harrowing Account of Five-Day Ordeal
The victim, Manish Kumar, worked at a jewellery shop located at Neem Chowk under the Tajpur police station area. According to his account, the shop owner reported a theft of 26 kg of silver and some gold jewellery on the morning of December 29. Manish, who had been asked to install a terrace gate the previous evening, was present when police arrived at the shop.
Manish alleges he was picked up by the police on December 29 for questioning in connection with the theft and later released. However, his nightmare began when he was taken into custody again on December 31. He claims he was brutally beaten daily until January 4. In a viral video shared on social media on January 6, Manish detailed the inhumane treatment, stating the police subjected him to torture so severe that his condition deteriorated critically.
"My father, Sanjay Poddar, and my wife were also brought to the station. The entire house was searched, but no jewellery was recovered," Manish stated in the video. His family alleges the police pressured him to confess to a crime he did not commit.
Medical Evidence and Official Response
As Manish's health worsened during the alleged torture, he was initially taken to a local hospital. Due to his critical condition, he was later referred to a hospital in Patna. Doctors documented severe injuries on his body, including to his private parts, corroborating his claims of physical abuse.
Acting on the viral video, Samastipur Superintendent of Police (SP) Arvind Pratap Singh formed an investigative committee on Wednesday. "An FIR was registered at Tajpur police station regarding the theft case after a video surfaced on Jan 6," the SP said. "Considering the seriousness of the allegation, a probe team has been formed under the leadership of Sadar SDPO-1. They have been asked to submit the probe report within a week so that action can be taken against the guilty persons."
The SP also mentioned that orders have been issued for the recovery of the stolen jewellery. Despite this official probe, the victim's family, distrusting the police mechanism, plans to approach the Human Rights Commission to seek justice.
Path to Justice and Accountability
This incident has cast a harsh spotlight on police conduct and custodial procedures in the region. The formation of a committee signifies administrative recognition of the grave allegations. However, the family's decision to escalate the matter to the Human Rights Commission underscores a deep-seated lack of faith in the internal accountability process.
The week-long deadline for the probe report sets a precedent for timely action. The outcome will be closely watched, as it will test the system's resolve to address allegations of brutal torture and human rights violations within its own ranks. The case also highlights the vulnerability of individuals taken into police custody and the urgent need for stricter safeguards and oversight.
