NEW DELHI, July 28, 2025 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR against six Jammu and Kashmir Police officials, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, over allegations of “brutal and inhuman custodial torture” inflicted on a fellow constable, Khursheed Ahmad Chohan, in 2023.
The CBI action follows a directive from the Supreme Court, which strongly criticized the Jammu and Kashmir High Court for failing to protect fundamental rights and for not ordering an impartial probe into the custodial torture case.
Named Accused:
-
DSP Aijaz Ahmad Naiko
-
SI Riyaz Ahmad
-
Jahangir Ahmad
-
Imtiyaz Ahmad
-
Mohammad Younis
-
Shakir Ahmad
All six were posted at the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC), Kupwara at the time of the incident.
Details of Allegations:
According to the FIR, Constable Khursheed Ahmad was summoned on February 17, 2023, allegedly in connection with a narcotics case, and held in illegal custody at JIC Kupwara until February 26. His wife’s complaint, now part of the FIR, alleges that during this period, he was tortured with iron rods, wooden sticks, and electric shocks.
“His private parts were mutilated. Iron rods were inserted continuously for six days. Red pepper was applied in the rectum, and electric shocks were administered,” the complaint alleges.
Medical records confirmed complete surgical removal of testicles, deep bruises on the buttocks, injuries to palms and soles (indicative of falanga torture), and the presence of vegetative matter in the rectum — all consistent with prolonged physical torture.
Supreme Court Slams Cover-Up Attempts
The apex court rejected the J&K administration’s claim that the injuries were self-inflicted in a suicide attempt. It pointed out glaring contradictions in the official version, especially the timeline of the FIRs:
-
Khursheed was summoned on Feb 17, but
-
FIR No. 17 of 2023, under which he was allegedly linked, was filed on Feb 23, six days after his detention.
“This temporal anomaly exposes the fabricated nature of the respondent’s case and conclusively establishes illegal detention,” the court observed.
The Supreme Court also ordered:
-
CBI to probe systemic failures at the JIC, including a review of CCTV footage, personnel records, and detention protocols.
-
Rs 50 lakh compensation to Khursheed, recoverable from the guilty officers following departmental proceedings.
“This is among the most barbaric instances of custodial torture,” the bench said. “The state attempted to shield its officials using its machinery.”
The then SSP Kupwara, who requisitioned Khursheed’s presence, has not been named an accused but was noted in the FIR as having remained a “mute spectator” to the events.
The investigation is ongoing, with the CBI expected to conduct a comprehensive forensic and procedural audit of the Joint Interrogation Centre’s operations during the period in question.
