FIR against two cops for torturing 12 tribal workers

AHMEDABAD: The Sabarmati Riverfront (West) police on Saturday filed an FIR against two unidentified cops after 12 tribal labourers — hobbling with fractures and deep bruises — alleged torture in police custody. The labourers say the cops battered them to make them confess to the murder of a 25-year-old man whose body was found in a ground near Tagore Hall on the riverfront.
The labourers said four to five cops tortured them, including by giving shocks to their private parts.But the complaint has been filed against only two cops. The FIR says one accused was “a cop in civil dress” and another “a cop in khaki uniform.”
Inspector M A Singh of the Sabarmati Riverfront (West) police said that a labourer, Shambhu Mavi, 32, a native of Dahod who works with five other victims at the events’ centre on the riverfront, filed the FIR.
Along with Shambhu, Anil Damor, Dita Ninama, Dharu Mavi, Rakesh Damor, and Nayan Bhuriya were also allegedly beaten by the cops. The labourers say the cops told them to either confess to the murder or to give clues.
In the FIR, Shambhu stated that the cops picked him and others from their workplace and took them to the police station. He said they were tortured on Wednesday and Thursday.
Police have booked the two cops under IPC sections 323 for assault and 114 for abetment but did not add the charge of abduction as the labourers were picked up and confined without an entry being made in the police station diary.
No complaint has been filed by six other labourers including two women who were also severely beaten by the cops. Police are yet to find any clue about the murder.