HC to hear vegetable vendor's petition

Mumbai, Dec 10: The Bombay High Court will tomorrow hear a petition, filed by a vegetable vendor alleging that he was picked up by the police on August 19 and subjected to third degree torture.

A division Bench, comprising Justices S B Mhase and S R Sathe, will hear the matter filed by Rajesh Jaiswal, who also alleged in his petition that the inquiry against the police officials who tortured him, is being conducted in a biased manner.

Jaiswal, in his petition stated that the police had allegedly tortured him so much that he had to be taken to King Edward Memorial Hospital at Parel in the early hours of August 20 for medical treatment. However, they later brought him back to the police station and allegedly thrashed him again several times.

They also allegedly robbed all his valuables, including gold ornaments, a mobile phone and Rs 2,800 in cash, before dumping him outside his house.

The medical check-up at Sion Hospital later revealed that his left ankle and two fingers of one hand fractured, besides other injuries and bruises on his body.

Though the petitioner's father had complained regarding the incident to the police commissioner, no action was initiated against the policemen, the petition points out.

Mr Jaiswal then lodged a private complaint on August 25 before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, who directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone IV, to investigate the matter.

However, even now he in his petition alleges that the inquiry is being conducted in a biased manner and statements are being twisted to help the accused officials.

UNI