Jamia leader subjected to custodial torture in Delhi: AISA
New Delhi: Police assaulted student leaders inside custody for demanding electoral transparency. The incident exposes shrinking democratic space under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime.
All India Students Association (AISA) alleged custodial torture of its leaders. Its Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) secretary Saurabh was brutally assaulted in detention. The incident occurred at Sanjay Colony Police Post in Maidan Garhi.
Lawyers denied access to student leader
AISA said Saurabh was beaten so severely he could not walk. Lawyers were denied access to detained protesters inside police post. Activist Yogendra Yadav later reached the police post for intervention. Saurabh then underwent medico-legal examination (MLC) for his injuries.
Midnight release after outrage
Three student protesters and one advocate were later released midnight. They included Saurabh, Nikhil, Harsh and Advocate Fidel Tom. The Wire reported their release following public outrage over custody. Activists alleged all four were brutally assaulted inside custody. Advocate Tom was detained and beaten while seeking students’ release. He had gone to police post to provide legal aid.
Protest against Election Commission
The crackdown occurred during Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest on Saturday. Left-wing student groups had joined the demonstration in Delhi. They demanded resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
