Thane youths allege custody torture, sexual abuse at Kapurbawdi police station; three cops moved

The murder of Pradeep Purnekar, a vibhagpramukh of the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) in Thane, has now run into a fresh controversy. It is alleged that youths picked up during a protest against the killing were subjected to "third degree" torture and sexually abused at Kapurbawdi police station. The allegation drew sharp reactions in the area.

The row began with the agitation held in Thane against Purnekar's murder and demanding the arrest of the accused. Roads were blocked and stone-pelting incidents were also reported. The police registered a case against more than 250 people and arrested two youths. It is now alleged that these youths were brutally beaten and sexually abused while in custody.

Social activist Ajay Jaya obtained the youths' medical reports. He then filed a formal complaint with the human rights authority and with Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Prashant Kadam. The evidence in the medical reports has made the alleged conduct within the police force more serious.

As the news spread, the political temperature in Thane rose. Office-bearers and workers of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction), the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), the Congress and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) gathered in large numbers outside Kapurbawdi police station. They shouted slogans against the police and demanded that a case be registered immediately against the accused personnel. The sit-in lasted about an hour and kept tension high around the police station.

Seeing the strength of the protest, senior police officers stepped in and accepted the protesters' memorandum. Three policemen found suspect at the initial stage have been sent to the police control room with immediate effect.

According to Manoj Pradhan, city president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction), the police have accepted the memorandum. He said the accused personnel have been sent to the control room and the police have assured that strict legal action will be taken against those found guilty once the statements of the victim youths are recorded.

After the medical reports and the complaint to the human rights authority, Thane police now appear to be under pressure. All of Thane is watching what the impartial inquiry reveals and whether a case is registered against the guilty policemen to secure justice for the victims.