Delayed CID probe in Adil’s custodial death raises eyebrows

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) is delaying the investigation and failing to ensure a fast, fair and transparent handling of Adil's case, said Aishwarya R, general secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties, Karnataka, at a press meet here on Friday.

She highlighted that Adil died in police custody on May 24 after being detained on gambling charges. His demise due to cardiac arrest during police interrogation sent shockwaves in the area.

She asserted that deaths in custody are not merely a coincidence. While speaking with News Trial, Ameya Bokil, a member of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ), said, “Section 78 imposes a small punishment on people involved in gambling, such as playing ‘matka’, with a sentence of three months in jail and a fine of Rs 300. No law allows the police to arrest a person without informing a magistrate and providing notice to the accused. However, in Adil’s case, things were done in an unethical manner. They arrested him, took him into custody without any CCTV cameras present, took him to a corner and interrogated him, during which he died of a heart attack.”

When questioned about the CID's delayed investigation, given that four police officials were arrested in connection with the case, Ameya responded, “There is no permanent suspension here. There is no official investigation taking place. Why has the minor case, been prolonged for three months?”

Aishwarya said the police conducted Adil's postmortem without informing his parents. When around 1,000 people protested in front of the police station, the police filed FIRs against 300 of them and unofficially arrested 47 in connection with this case. Now, the families of the arrested individuals are demanding their release.

Additionally, they are urging the government to provide compensation to Adil’s family.

The CID should conduct a fair investigation, as the public claims there were injury marks on Adil’s body, suggesting he may have been tortured by the police. Therefore, the state government should take the initiative to address this issue.

Death for gambling

Adil, a carpenter from Channagiri, died in police custody on May 24, 2024, after being detained for allegedly gambling. His family learned of his arrest only during the postmortem.

News of his death led to protests outside the police station, with clashes between the crowd and police. Six FIRs were filed against about 300 people for unlawful assembly and rioting.