“My son was killed while in police custody. They say he jumped from the roof, but he was beaten to death.” — Mohammad Shehzad Haq’s father, Anwarul Haq
Mohammad Shehzad Haq, a 28-year-old from Sheikhpura village in Goreakothi, Siwan district, died on May 11, 2025, after 7 days of battling life-threatening injuries he suffered in alleged police custody. His family insists that police brutality was the cause of his death — a claim the local police deny, saying he was injured when he jumped off a roof to escape.
Shehzad had recently returned from Makkah, where he worked at the revered Masjid al-Haram. He was preparing for his wedding, scheduled for May 10 — a day that instead turned into a tragedy for his family and community.
On the evening of May 4, police arrived at the home of Shehzad’s sister under mysterious circumstances. According to the family, police raided the house aggressively without a female officer present, despite several women being inside. They demanded to arrest Shehzad amid an ongoing dispute between the two parties over property and wedding arrangements.
“My uncle was dragged out so roughly. They pushed aside everyone and entered without any respect for our family,” said Shehzad’s niece who witnessed the raid. “The police said they didn’t need a warrant, and when I asked for a woman police, they said no.”
Imtiyaz Ahmad, Shehzad’s uncle, said, “There was a dispute and complaints filed by both sides. But only the other party’s complaint was accepted first. Later, my nephew’s was also accepted. Both had injuries and were sent to the hospital.”
The police claim that Shehzad tried to escape from the raid by jumping off the roof of the house. “He was seriously injured when he jumped from the roof during the raid,” a police official told local media, adding that Shehzad was admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment.
However, Shehzad’s family strongly disputes this version. His uncle Imtiyaz said, “If he had fallen, he would have broken his arms or legs. But the injuries were mostly on his head and back — signs of a beating, not a fall.”
His sister said, “He was fine when the police took him. He even waved goodbye and gave us his phone and wallet. Then suddenly, we learned he was hospitalized with severe head injuries.”
According to the family, after the initial hospital in Goreakothi, Shehzad was referred to Siwan and then to PMCH Patna, where he underwent surgery. Despite the doctors’ efforts, Shehzad passed away on May 11.
Shehzad’s mother, Amina Bibi, is devastated. “My son was supposed to get married. Instead, he was killed. How do I live now without my child?” she sobbed, struggling to find words.
His niece expressed her sorrow and anger: “We want justice. The police say he jumped, but we know the truth. They beat him. They killed him.”
The Siwan police maintain their version that Shehzad’s injuries were caused by his own actions during the raid. “We did not assault him. The injuries are due to his jump,” an official told local media.
But the family and witnesses reject this, calling the police account a cover-up. “He was beaten by police and some men who had grudges against him,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad.
His family await justice as they grieve a life taken too soon — a young man whose dreams of marriage and a new life ended in pain and silence.
“The boy who was supposed to wear the wedding turban ended up in a shroud,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad, his voice heavy with grief.
