Among the primary demands were Telangana DGP Anjani Kumar to issue immediate orders to preserve CCTV footage and preserve medical records, which the accused cops took.
Hyderabad-based activists on 1 March made several demands in the alleged custodial death torture of Mohammed Khadeer Khan. (Supplied)
A team of social activists made a slew of demands in connection with the death of 37-year-old Mohammed Khadeer Khan, who was allegedly tortured in police custody.
The activists also presented a fact-finding report to journalists at the Somjiguda Press Club on Wednesday, 1 March. Khadeer’s wife Siddeshwari and their children, too, attended the news conference.
The activists had earlier visited Khadeer’s relatives, friends and neighbours after his 16 February death.
Based on the versions of three hospitals where Khan was treated, South First can confirm that he had suffered severe assault injuries.
#Telangana: Wife (Siddeshwari) & kids of deceased #KhadeerKhan today broke down in tears during a PC organised by #Hyderabad activists while making demands from @TelanganaCMO in alleged #CustodialDeath torture.
4 accused @TelanganaCOPs are already suspended.@TheSouthfirst pic.twitter.com/h3c4jZbFZ5
— Ajay Tomar (@ajaytomarasks) March 1, 2023
While raising 10 demands, the activists appealed to Telangana DGP Anjani Kumar to issue immediate orders to preserve CCTV footage from 29 January — the day he was allegedly arrested by the Medak police — to 16 February — the day on which the daily-wage labourer died at the Gandhi Hospital.
Four police officers, including the Station House Officer (SHO) and sub-inspector, were suspended from service three days after Khan’s death.
The High Court of Telangana took a suo motu case on 20 February based on media reports.
The activists also demand the Telangana government to provide an ex gratia of ₹50 lakh to Khadeer’s wife and a government job.
They also demanded the setting up of a separate bench to try the case and also the appointment of a special magistrate. They wanted the DGP to register murder charges against the accused police officers and the immediate transfer of Medak SP, Rohini Priyadarshini.
“She failed to take timely action against the accused policemen and also behaved rudely and irresponsibly with the family members and people who approached her with a complaint against the SHO, SI and constables Pavan and Prashanth,” activist SQ Masood told South First.
The activists also demanded the Telangana Police make public their manual, which is used to train officers on how to conduct themselves during investigations and while interacting with the citizens.
“The Medak police have acted with impunity. Their policing makes us suspect whether the Telangana police are following the guidelines laid down in the police manual. Since the manual is not in the public domain, the people cannot demand the police personnel to act by the manual,” Masood alleged.
According to the complaint by Khan’s wife, the police forcibly entered the house of Khadeer’s sister on 2 February, thrashed him, and took him to the Medak Police Station, accusing him of stealing gold.
The activists further demanded the DGP to ensure the safety and security of all the witnesses, including Khadeer’s friend Rizwan, the victim’s family members, his sister and brother-in-law Moin. Three of them were also allegedly assaulted by the police.
“Another demand we have is to preserve the medical records of the three hospitals where Khadeer was admitted — the Government District Hospital in Medak, Renova Hospital in Kompal,ly and Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad,” Masood said.
Siddeshwari had told South First that the accused police officers took away all discharge sheets and other records about Khadeer’s injuries from hospitals.
They also want the DGP to record the statements of doctors who had attended to Khadeer as well as those of primary witnesses mentioned in the fact-finding report.
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