Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Rights Groups Challenge Police Beating of Bhavnagar Murder Accused
Faisal was arrested after Kajal, his live-in partner, was killed at a bus station in Gujarat.
The article says a security camera recorded the attack.
Later, police took Faisal to the place where the killing happened and beat him in public.
A video of the beating spread online.
An advocate complained to the National Human Rights Commission.
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties also sent legal notices about the police conduct.
These groups said police must follow the law and cannot torture suspects.
The article’s author criticized them for focusing on the beating rather than Kajal’s death.
Faisal alias Khatki Rafikbhai Lakhani was arrested after Kajal Baraiya was fatally beaten at Bhavnagar bus stand, according to the article.
The article says CCTV footage captured the killing and that Kajal’s mother filed the complaint leading to Faisal’s arrest.
A video showed police publicly beating Faisal after taking him to the alleged crime scene, prompting a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission.
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties sent legal notices alleging torture, unlawful restraint and violations of police procedures.
The Wire and PUCL emphasized alleged police brutality, while the article criticized them for giving insufficient attention to Kajal’s death.
- Who
- Faisal alias Khatki Rafikbhai Lakhani, Kajal Baraiya, Bhavnagar Police, The Wire, the People’s Union for Civil Liberties and advocate Pranay Maheshwari.
- What
- A dispute arose over the public beating of Faisal after his arrest in connection with Kajal’s killing.
- When
- The killing reportedly occurred a day before the police-beating video circulated; the articles do not provide a specific date for the incident.
- Where
- Bhavnagar bus stand and the surrounding Bhavnagar area in Gujarat, India.
- Why
- Rights advocates objected that police allegedly tortured Faisal and violated due process, while the article argued that coverage minimized the alleged killing of Kajal.
Rights and Due-Process Concerns
Criticism of Rights-Group Coverage
Public police beating
Rights and Due-Process Concerns
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties and advocate Pranay Maheshwari described the police action as assault, torture, harassment and an abuse of power, arguing that police cannot beat suspects in public.
Criticism of Rights-Group Coverage
The article argues that the police action occurred after Faisal’s arrest in a murder case and criticizes rights advocates and The Wire for focusing on his injuries rather than the alleged killing of Kajal.
How the incident was reported
Rights and Due-Process Concerns
The Wire reported that Faisal was publicly beaten, cried for help and was allegedly tortured after being taken to the crime scene.
Criticism of Rights-Group Coverage
The article says The Wire omitted or downplayed key context, including the alleged CCTV-recorded killing, the complaint by Kajal’s mother and Faisal’s arrest.
Treatment of the accused
Rights and Due-Process Concerns
PUCL said police procedures, legal safeguards and court processes were bypassed and called for investigation and action against officers.
Criticism of Rights-Group Coverage
The article portrays PUCL’s intervention as part of a broader pattern of defending people accused of serious crimes, while acknowledging that PUCL’s notice focused on alleged police misconduct.
- Accused
- Faisal alias Khatki Rafikbhai Lakhani
- Deceased
- Kajal Baraiya, described as Faisal’s live-in partner
- Location
- Bhavnagar bus stand, Gujarat
- Police conduct alleged
- Public beating while Faisal was reportedly restrained with ropes
- Legal complaints
- Complaints were filed with the National Human Rights Commission and Gujarat authorities
- Civil-liberties organization
- People’s Union for Civil Liberties
- Media outlet
- The Wire reported on the alleged police beating