Gujarat HC Flags Illegal Police Parading, Custodial Abuse

AHMEDABAD: Despite Supreme Court safeguards governing arrests and custodial treatment, allegations of police brutality, illegal detention and public humiliation of suspects continue to surface in Gujarat, the Gujarat High Court was told on Tuesday during proceedings in a contempt petition against police personnel.

The petition concerns a liquor-related case in which a boy aged around 16–17 was allegedly kept in illegal police custody for three days after being apprehended on June 21. His father, who filed the petition, has accused police personnel of subjecting the minor to severe physical assault and parading him through public streets before producing him in court.

The allegations raise serious questions about compliance with arrest procedures, the protection of minors in police custody and the accountability of officers accused of violating legal safeguards.

High Court Seeks Detailed Timeline

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that the boy’s alleged three-day detention under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which deals with preventive action, was unlawful. The petitioner also alleged that the minor suffered extensive physical injuries, including sharp marks across his body, during the unrecorded detention.

The lawyer further submitted that publicly parading the boy before producing him in court violated safeguards governing the treatment of arrested persons.

The state police contested the allegations, arguing that they were baseless and pointing to the youth’s subsequent release on bail. The bench, however, sought clarity on the sequence of events, including when the boy was apprehended and how long he remained in custody.

The police personnel facing the contempt proceedings reportedly tendered an unconditional apology before the division bench. The petitioner’s side argued that an apology alone would not ensure accountability or prevent the alleged recurrence of such conduct.

Apology Under Scrutiny

The case places the spotlight on the gap between legal safeguards and allegations of their implementation on the ground. Publicly parading suspects and subjecting detainees to violence raise concerns over dignity, due process and the limits of police authority.

The High Court directed the police officials to submit a comprehensive account of the incident, documenting every stage from the boy’s initial apprehension to his eventual release.

The court’s demand for a complete timeline is expected to help establish the circumstances and duration of the alleged detention and examine the conduct of the officers involved.

The matter is scheduled to be heard again on Thursday. The allegations remain subject to judicial examination, and the court’s directions will determine the next steps in the contempt proceedings.