Magisterial inquiry ordered into Kathua youth's suicide following alleged custodial torture in J&K

There have been allegations that a Gujjar youth, Makhan Din, and his 65-year-old father were taken by the police from their Perody village home near Billawar on Tuesday night, and were subjected to brutal custodial torture.

Srinagar: Authorities in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir have ordered separate enquiries into the death of a Gujjar youth, Makhan Din, who reportedly committed suicide hours after allegations of torture in police custody.

Police claim 25-year-old Din, a resident of Billawar in Kathua, died by suicide at his home on Tuesday evening after consuming insecticide. However, there have been allegations that Din and his 65-year-old father were taken by the police from their Perody village home near Billawar on Tuesday night, and were subjected to brutal custodial torture.

Dr. Rameshwar Singh, MLA of Bani, said that Din recorded a video at a local masjid before his death, claiming he had been tortured and forced to admit connections with militants.

“I have contacted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and narrated to him the entire episode,” he said.

Zahid Parwaz Choudhary, the state president of the J&K Gujjar Bakerwal Youth Welfare Conference, alleged that Din was arrested on fabricated charges of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW) for militants.

He accused the police of brutal torture, forcing a false confession, and labeled Din’s death as a “torture killing,” urging authorities to bring those responsible to justice.

In the wake of these allegations, Kathua District Magistrate Dr. Rakesh Minhas ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. He appointed Anil Kumar, Tehsildar of Lohai Malhar, to conduct the enquiry and determine the cause of death.

In a formal order, the District Magistrate instructed Kumar to submit a “detailed report within five days,” and directed that statements from all relevant persons be taken to ensure a comprehensive investigation.

Former Chief Minister and President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, accused the SHO of Billawar of detaining Din on false charges of being an OGW.

In a post on X, she said, “He was reportedly subjected to brutal thrashing and torture, forced into a confession, and tragically found dead today. The area has been sealed off, and internet services have been cut, leading to widespread panic. There’s an ongoing crackdown, with more individuals being picked up,” she posted on X.

“This incident appears to follow a troubling pattern of targeting innocent youths on fabricated charges. I urge the DGP, J&K Police, to initiate an immediate investigation,” she demanded.

However, J&K police while denying allegations of custodial killing, said the deceased was the nephew of a Pakistan-based terrorist, Swar Din alias Swaru Gujjar and had been “assisting a terrorist group responsible for an attack on an Army convoy at Badnota in July 2024, in which four soldiers were killed.”

“There was no custodial torture or injury. He was questioned and then got exposed, went home and committed suicide,” a police spokesperson said and added a departmental enquiry, which will be conducted by Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG, Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range, has been ordered.