Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Dec 2: Advocate, Dinesh Hegde Ulepady, has alleged that Arafat from Ullal Kotepura, who was arrested by the policemen of Bajpe station relating to the murder attempt of Bajrang Dal activist and auto rickshaw driver, Ravi Salian (29) on November 13 near Kaikamba Gurpur, was brutally tortured by the policemen.

It may be recalled that Arafat’s father, Mohammed Basheer,  has already approached the court, seeking directions to the police for the release of Arafat.

“The policemen who visited Arafat’s home on November 18 night, took Arafat and Tayyeb away, and tortured them. Tayyeb was released after two days. But Arafat was taken to secluded spots and subjected to mental torture. Later, a case of murder attempt was registered against him, and he was produced in the house of magistrate and sent to judicial custody. The policemen have failed to stick to procedures involved with the arrest of an accused in this case,” Ulepady said.

While terming the statement filed by inspector, Dinakar Shetty, in the court that Arafat had not been arrested, as contempt of court, the advocate said he will file a petition in the state High Court and complain to Karnataka State Human Rights Commission.

Bajpe police inspector, Dinakar Shetty, referring to the above allegations, said that the policemen have evidence to prove that Arafat had provided shelter to murder attempt accused, although he was not directly involved with murder. He felt that such false allegations are being leveled for misleading investigation.  “The accused, after spending a few days in jail, has complained to the magistrate that we had threatened him to kill in an encounter. This proves that he has been instigated by some people to file this complaint. These things are common in the course of investigations, and we have answers for every allegation,” he added.