9 hrs ago
Row Over Alleged Custody Torture After Sikh Man’s Protest
Mohanjeet Singh protested during Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s programme by showing a black flag.
He said he was asking questions about the government’s claims on stopping drug use.
Police arrested him and released him on bail the next day.
Mohanjeet later said police beat and tortured him in custody.
Police said he appeared intoxicated and that two drug tests were positive.
They also said several criminal cases were pending against him.
A later medical report recorded 10 injuries, although police said no injuries were found during an earlier examination.
Officials have ordered an investigation into what happened.
Opposition politicians and Sikh religious leaders have supported Mohanjeet and called for action against the officers involved.
Mohanjeet Singh was arrested on September 2 after allegedly showing a black flag and raising anti-drug slogans during Bhagwant Mann’s programme in Sheron village.
He alleges police beat him, disrespected his hair and beard, and inflicted injuries while he was in custody.
Police deny reaching a conclusion on the torture allegations and have ordered an inquiry into the matter.
Authorities said Mohanjeet tested positive for drugs and had eight pending FIRs, including one involving an alleged attempt to murder.
Opposition leaders, BJP figures and the Akal Takht Jathedar demanded action and said peaceful protest is a democratic right.
- Who
- Mohanjeet Singh, Punjab Police, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, opposition leaders and Sikh religious leaders.
- What
- A protester was arrested after allegedly showing a black flag at a government programme and later alleged torture in police custody.
- Where
- The incident occurred in Sheron village in Sangrur district, Punjab; Mohanjeet was later treated at Civil Hospital, Sangrur.
- When
- The protest and arrest occurred on September 2; he was released on bail on September 3, with the allegations reported after his hospital admission.
- Why
- Mohanjeet said he was protesting the government’s claims about tackling drugs, while police said he was allegedly trying to disrupt the programme.
Mohanjeet’s Supporters and Critics of Police
Police and Government Authorities
Whether torture occurred
Mohanjeet’s Supporters and Critics of Police
Mohanjeet alleged that police beat him, mistreated his hair and beard, and used blades on his thighs before sprinkling salt on the wounds. Political and religious leaders called for action against the officers named.
Police and Government Authorities
Police said the allegations were under investigation. The SSP said no fresh injury marks were found when Mohanjeet was produced before the court, though a later medical report recorded 10 injuries.
Meaning of the protest
Mohanjeet’s Supporters and Critics of Police
Mohanjeet and his supporters described the black-flag demonstration as peaceful dissent and a democratic right to question the government’s anti-drug claims.
Police and Government Authorities
Police said Mohanjeet was allegedly trying to disrupt the Lok Milni programme and arrested him under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
Mohanjeet’s conduct and background
Mohanjeet’s Supporters and Critics of Police
Villagers said he had previously battled drug addiction and later worked to discourage drug use through an anti-drug club and online videos.
Police and Government Authorities
Police said he appeared to be under the influence of drugs when detained, that two tests were positive, and that eight FIRs were pending against him, including one related to an alleged attempt to murder.
Key facts
- Protester
- Mohanjeet Singh, a 37-year-old resident of Sheron village and member of an anti-drug club.
- Incident
- He allegedly showed a black flag and raised slogans during a Lok Milni programme on September 2.
- Charges
- Police booked him under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
- Release
- He was released on bail on September 3.
- Medical report
- A fresh medico-legal report mentioned 10 injuries, which doctors said were inflicted within two to six hours before examination.
- Police account
- Authorities said two drug tests returned positive and claimed eight FIRs were pending against him.
- Inquiry
- The Sangrur police marked an inquiry to the SP Headquarters into the torture allegations.
Quotes
Dalbir Singh Sidhu
Sangrur Rural Deputy Superintendent of Police
“I was raising questions about the Punjab government’s claims regarding the eradication of drugs. I protested peacefully by showing a black flag while standing on the rooftop of a house. First, I was beaten up in the village itself by DSP Harinder Singh Khaira and was later taken to the police station, where my hair and beard were disrespected. Blades were allegedly used on my thighs and salt was later sprinkled on my wounds.”
indianexpress.com
“Mohanjeet was allegedly trying to disrupt the function on September 2. He was arrested under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS and released on bail the following day. However, he has alleged that he was tortured in custody, for which we have marked an inquiry.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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