This Article is From May 20, 2010

Man alleges torture by Mumbai cops, loses hearing

Mumbai: A 32-year-old man in Mumbai, who was picked up by the J J Marg police for interrogation recently, lost his hearing and was knocked unconscious, allegedly after being brutally beaten up by the police.

Mumbai Central resident Rashid Shaikh was taken for interrogation by the police after his father, Iqbal , registered a case of torture against him. He was handed over to his wife on the same day, in an unconscious state.

"No one was at home when Rashid was picked up," said his wife, Sabiya. "When I went to the police station, they refused to let me meet Rashid. Around midnight he was unconscious when they handed him over to me. A police officer, Pandarinath Sangde, warned me of dire consequences if I did not leave my in-laws' house."

Rashid's wife then took him to JJ Hospital where he was given first-aid.

"Sangde came to the hospital and spoke to the doctor, who then asked us to leave, saying Rashid was fine. So I took him to Sabu Siddique Hospital where the doctor said Rashid had lost his hearing. The doctor operated on him but chances of him recovering his hearing are slim."

The police have now instituted an inquiry. "We have taken statements of both parties and are inquiring into the role of Pandarinath Sangde and other officers," said Senior Inspector Khanderao Patil of J J Marg police station.

Sabiya said Iqbal wanted more dowry, although she had already given Rs 10 lakh. She said her father-in-law had registered the complaint to throw them out of the house.
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