Navratri Communal Clash: Gujarat High Court Issues Notice To State In Contempt Plea Against Police For Flogging Muslim Men In Public View

The Police action was allegedly in aftermath of the communal clash in Undhela village situated in Matar Taluka of Kheda district on October 3. It is alleged that some intruders pelted stones at the crowd during Navratri celebrations. At least 40 persons were arrested in the incident.

One of the Petitioners, Maksudabanu, a senior citizen, alleged that the Police entered her house at night in the absence of a woman constable, beat her up and put her and her family members in illegal detention at the Police station.

It is alleged that the Petitioner and 5 others were later brought back to the village, tied up to a pole in the middle of the chowk and brutally beaten up using lathis in front of crowd.

"Kindly see milord the way, first they were illegally detained, they were taken to the spot, they were tied to the pole, and then they were mercilessly beaten…each person was taken out (from the police van), beaten, then again put in the vehicle, then second person, third person, likewise it went on… The Policemen themselves made their videos and they have put that in the social media," Senior Advocate IH Syed submitted on behalf of the petitioners.

He alleged that there was complete violation of Supreme Court's directions in the DK Basu case.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J Shastri has issued notices to the State government, the Superintendent of Police, Inspector General of Police and other Police officers arrayed as Respondents.

The matter will next be taken up on December 12.