“I have no other demands. All I know is that Faizan will suffer for his whole life, he had gotten married 8 months ago. His life is over now”
Recent years have seen a noticeable increase in police brutality cases across India. Many of these incidents involve extreme force and have resulted in serious injuries or even death. These situations often occur in poorer or marginalized communities, raising concerns about unfair treatment by the police.
On 1st May, in the city of Vadodara, an egg seller named Mohammad Faizan Sheikh, a resident of Parshuram Bhatta, became a victim of police brutality. The incident happened near Vadodara Railway station; it has been reported that Faizan’s condition is serious.
“The police come for patrolling every day wherein they ask all vendors and shops to shut down by 11 pm. Faizan and others had already complied with this order and standing at the corner. A PCR van from Sayajiganj Police Station came with three officers and started abusing, and asking why the people hadn’t left yet. Sheikh intervened and said ‘Why are you abusing us? We have closed down everything, and are just about to leave.’ That is what triggered the police officers, they didn’t like being questioned and then started beating up Sheikh.”
Mujahid Nafees, Convener of Minority Coordination Committee (MCC), Gujarat
Mujahid further says that within moments, the argument heated, wherein Sheikh also quarrelled, that’s when the officers hit him through the police jeep. The force was such that Sheikh got stuck in the van and dragged for 400 metres. People started shouting at the scene, and the officers ran away. The locals called the ambulance, and he was admitted to a government hospital and then transferred to a private hospital (Tri color Hospital, Vadodara).
“Faizan is on ventilator. He’s finally made some movement, but yes, he’s suffered grave injuries, and his half-body is now paralysed.”
Mujahid Nafees
An FIR has been registered against the police officers, identified as Mohammad Mubasshir, Radhuvir Bharatbhai and Van driver Kishanbhai Natwarbhai Parmar. The report has been filed by Faizan Sheikh’s brother, Mohammad Mumtaz Sheikh, under IPC sections; 307 (Attempt to kill), 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 325 (Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) 114(Abettor present when an offence committed) and GP act 135 (Penalty for contravention of rules).
Today, a press report was released by the Sayajiganj Police Station, informing how necessary action has been taken against the accused.
Expressing his distress, Faizan’s brother Mohammad Mumtaz Sheikh says, “I will make sure my brother gets the justice he deserves. The people who did this should get severe punishment for what they have done to my brother. I have no other demands. All I know is that Faizan will suffer for his whole life, he had gotten married 8 months ago. His life is over now. He will never be able to stand on his feet. I will fight and do whatever is required.”
Nafees, the convener of MCC, expressed concern over the increasing instances of police brutality against Muslims. He highlighted the recent custodial death of a Muslim man at Dholka police station in Ahmedabad and mentioned an earlier incident where six Muslim boys were beaten in front of a Dargah in Junagarh. Nafees pointed out that such incidents are escalating, and criticized the police for their role, noting the difficulty in filing FIRs when police themselves are the alleged offenders.
As a representative of MCC, Nafees added how the police need to be just with everyone, they should not favour or support the agenda of any political party and that such incidents weaken the social fabric of the country. The MCC believes that the police are now working as a political tool.
