Witness claims police beat up Khan with chain, bat in lock-up

Ibrahim Malik, 56, who was picked up along with Mohammad Naushad Hussain Khan by the Chembur police on Saturday, told HT on Sunday that two policemen were involved in beating up Khan ‘very badly’.

Ibrahim Malik, 56, who was picked up along with Mohammad Naushad Hussain Khan by the Chembur police on Saturday, told HT on Sunday that two policemen were involved in beating up Khan ‘very badly’.

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“Khan had come to my house in Shivaji Nagar on Saturday. Six policemen came there later, possibly searching for Khan. Around 8.30pm we were taken to the Chembur police station for questioning. Around 1.30am, we were offered food. There were three constables in the room. Two of them started inquiring with Khan about some person. They started beating Khan with a strap, chain and cricket bat because of which he sustained serious injuries,” Malik said.

Malik said he had identified the two policemen allegedly involved in the beating along with four others who had come to pick them up. “I was asked to identify the policemen on Sunday following Khan’s death,” Malik said.

Khan’s family have raised suspicion over his death. Police said Khan, a resident of Shivaji Nagar, had past cases of property offences against him and was picked up for interrogation.

Shabir Shaikh, Khan’s brother-in-law, said, “When I saw Khan’s body there was blood oozing from a wound on his head. There are injuries on his head, legs and marks on his body. Khan had no medical history of illness and was healthy. He was well-built and strong.”

Khan is survived by a wife, three daughters and a son. “A fair inquiry should be conducted into the matter and the culprits brought to book,” said a local corporator who accompanied Khan’s family to the JJ hospital.

Case transferred
As per NHRC provisions, investigation has been transferred to the crime branch as the detainee died in a police lock-up, said Mahesh Ghurye, deputy commissioner of police, zone VII who has additional charge of zone VI.

Doctors at JJ Hospital who conducted the autopsy on Khan said he had external injuries. In the autopsy report, doctors mentioned a severe head injury as cause of death. “There was internal bleeding in the brain area. We have preserved the viscera for histopathology,” said a doctor. Histopahthology tests will reveal if Khan had any illness.