Srinagar, July 29 (UNI) A team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers has formally begun its investigation into the custodial torture of Jammu and Kashmir Police Constable Khursheed Ahmad Chohan, an incident that occurred over two years ago, officials said.
Acting on directions from the Supreme Court of India, the CBI registered an FIR on July 26 against six J&K Police officials, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Aijaz Ahmad Naiko, Sub-Inspector Riyaz Ahmad, and four others—Jahangir Ahmad, Imtiyaz Ahmad, Mohammed Younis, and Shakir Ahmad—all posted at the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) in Kupwara.
The FIR includes serious charges such as criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt, grievous hurt by dangerous weapons, and wrongful confinement for over three or more days.
A team of CBI officers, led by Superintendent of Police Subhash Chander Kundu, reached Srinagar yesterday to initiate the probe.
In its directive, the Supreme Court last week ordered the CBI to ensure that police personnel found responsible for the custodial torture are arrested “forthwith and not later than a period of one month” from July 22. Furthermore, the apex court has set a deadline of 90 days for the CBI to complete the investigation from the date of FIR registration.
The Supreme Court has also mandated a thorough inquiry into systemic issues at the Joint Interrogation Centre, Kupwara. This includes a forensic audit of the premises, examination of CCTV footage, interrogation of all personnel present during the alleged period of illegal detention, and a comprehensive review of detention and interrogation protocols followed at the JIC.
Constable Khursheed Chohan, who was then posted at District Police Headquarters, Baramulla, was summoned by police to report at the SSP Kupwara’s office on February 20, 2023, regarding an inquiry into a narcotics case. However, Chohan was allegedly detained without legal sanction and subjected to brutal custodial torture for six consecutive days.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Chohan was admitted to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura-Srinagar, on February 26, 2023.
The FIR also references a harrowing complaint filed by Chohan’s wife, detailing the torture inflicted on her husband. She alleged that the police officials beat him continuously for six days using iron rods and wooden sticks, inflicted electric shocks, and committed barbaric acts of sexual torture, including mutilation of his private parts and inserting iron rods into his rectum. The complaint further alleges that red chili powder was forcibly applied to his wounds and that despite being aware of the ongoing torture, SSP Kupwara acted as a silent spectator.
