The report adds: “Boys were picked up and not permitted to inform at least one family member of their arrest (the police did not notify the families of the detainees either). They weren’t even produced in a court within 24 hours. On an average, the delay was for five days and there were signs of physical torture evident to the naked eye for days after.”

Endorsing the committee’s findings, Chander said: “We were able to substantiate and verify most of what the boys and their families told us.” Chander added that an official forensics expert, who confirmed instances of torture, accompanied the committee —civil society activists Nirmala Gopalakrishnan, K Anuradha and Mohammed Afzal — in its fact-finding mission.

“The expert, Dr Mahender Reddy, confirmed after examining signs of torture on the boys that they were subjected to third-degree methods, despite no evidence or due process of law,” said Chander.

When contacted, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Balwinder Singh said he is yet to see a copy of this report. “We have tried our best to ensure that the case is investigated within the framework of the law and we have not indiscriminately arrested anybody. Everyone found not involved —- even if our suspicions remain though we had no evidence admissible in a court of law — we have let them off,” said Singh.

State Minorities Commission Chairman Yousuf Qureshi said: “The report is extremely disturbing. I have proposed a 24 hour help-line for relatives in cases of people being whisked away, so they can get a hearing immediately.”

... contd.