SURAT: A Surat court has taken serious note of allegations of custodial torture made by three men arrested in connection with a chain-snatching and robbery case. Following a suo motu inquiry, the court ordered registration of a criminal case against four policemen attached to Sachin Police Station.
The development has raised questions over the treatment of accused persons during police remand and has brought renewed attention to safeguards against custodial abuse.
Three Accused Allege Torture During Police Remand
The three men Saurabh Sharma, Rakesh Vagh and Subodh Ramani were arrested in January in connection with the alleged robbery of a gold pendant and neck chain worth approximately ₹89,820. According to the court proceedings, the accused told the magistrate that they had allegedly been beaten and subjected to torture while in police custody.
The allegations included physical assault and the use of petrol mixed with chilli powder during interrogation. The court subsequently initiated a suo motu criminal inquiry into the allegations.
Four Policemen Booked Following Court Inquiry
The court’s preliminary inquiry found prima facie grounds to proceed against four police personnel associated with the surveillance staff of Sachin Police Station.
The personnel named in the proceedings were identified as police constables Vanar, Jaypal Sinh and Narayan Sinh, along with police van driver Shaitansinh. The case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions concerning causing hurt, criminal intimidation and abetment/presence during an offence.
The court also directed that the accused men undergo medical examination at New Civil Hospital in Surat.
Chain-Snatching Case Triggered Police Action
The original case dates back to January 28, when complainant Gnaneshwar Sapkal allegedly lost a gold pendant and neck chain worth ₹89,820 during a robbery near Sahyog Complex in the Sachin area. According to the complaint cited in court proceedings, three youths allegedly approached Sapkal and his nephew on a motorcycle, robbed them and attacked the nephew with a knife before fleeing.
Sachin Police subsequently arrested the three suspects on January 29 and produced them before the court. They were initially remanded to police custody for two days.
Magistrate Initiates Suo Motu Inquiry
After the police remand ended, the three accused were produced before the court for further remand. The magistrate reportedly asked the accused individually whether they had faced any form of police torture during custody.
All three allegedly complained of ill-treatment. The magistrate then recorded their statements separately and ordered medical examinations. The statements of the accused, medical records and the statement of the Chief Medical Officer of New Civil Hospital were considered during the inquiry.
Police Deny That Their Version Was Considered
The Sachin Police Inspector reportedly said the court had passed its order based on statements from the accused and the doctor without first hearing the police version. The police indicated that the personnel named in the case would present their side before the court and that the matter would be contested on the basis of evidence. This means the allegations against the policemen remain subject to the legal process and should not be treated as proven guilt at this stage.
Accused Also Had Previous Criminal Cases
Police sources cited in the reporting said some of the three accused had previous criminal records. Rakesh Vagh was reported to have multiple cases involving physical assault and theft, while PASA had reportedly been invoked against him in the past. Subodh Ramani was also reported to have previous cases, while Saurabh Sharma had allegedly been arrested in other robbery cases.
However, previous criminal allegations against the accused do not determine the truth of the separate custodial-torture allegations now being examined by the court.
Why the Case Is Significant
The Surat case has drawn attention because the allegations were brought directly before a judicial officer during the accused persons’ production in court. The court’s decision to initiate a suo motu inquiry and register a criminal case demonstrates the judicial scrutiny that can follow allegations of custodial abuse. The case will now proceed through the legal process, during which evidence and the versions of both sides will be examined.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings Continue
The criminal case against the four policemen is now subject to further legal proceedings. The accused police personnel will have an opportunity to present their defence before the court. The original chain-snatching case against the three arrested men will also continue separately.
The developments underline the importance of ensuring that investigations into serious crimes are conducted within the boundaries of law while protecting the rights of people in police custody.
Conclusion
The Surat chain-snatching case has taken a significant turn after a court initiated a suo motu inquiry into allegations of custodial torture and ordered a criminal case against four policemen attached to Sachin Police Station.
While the three men were arrested in connection with an alleged robbery involving a gold pendant and chain worth ₹89,820, the subsequent allegations of police misconduct have become a separate legal matter. The allegations against the policemen have not yet been finally adjudicated, and the case will now proceed through the appropriate legal process.
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