A fact-finding report released by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights has alleged selective arrests, custodial torture, and discriminatory police action against Muslims following communal violence in Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa earlier this month.
The violence reportedly broke out on May 9 at Almaspet Circle amid tensions over a naming dispute between “Tipu Sultan Circle” and “Hanuman Circle”. The report, titled Selective Justice: Detention, Torture, & Religious Targeting, examined the clashes, police response, FIRs, arrests, and allegations of custodial abuse.
According to APCR, tensions escalated after banners naming the junction “Hanuman Circle” were displayed during celebrations linked to Hanuman Jayanti. The organisation said this happened despite a proposal by the Kadapa Municipal Corporation earlier this year to rename the junction “Tipu Sultan Circle”, which was still awaiting formal approval.
The report claimed that on the morning of May 9, members of the Muslim community gathered at the junction to install banners supporting the proposed name, while leaders linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party and right-wing groups assembled nearby with opposing banners. Although police initially attempted to mediate between both sides, the situation soon turned violent.
Conflicting claims over how violence started
Police FIRs numbered 59/2026 and 60/2026 alleged that Muslim residents pelted stones at law enforcement personnel, injuring officers and damaging public property, which led police to launch a lathi charge.
However, APCR disputed this account, citing witness testimonies that claimed stone-pelting began from the non-Muslim side after children allegedly threw empty water packets. The report further alleged that right-wing groups had planned attacks targeting Muslims.
The organisation also accused police of continuing baton charges inside Muslim-majority neighbourhoods even after crowds had dispersed.
“Nearly 100 Muslims were injured,” the report claimed, adding that many allegedly avoided hospitals due to fear of police action.
Allegations of selective arrests and harsher charges
The APCR report alleged unequal treatment in police action following the violence. According to the findings, FIR No. 59/2026 named 27 Muslims under serious non-bailable charges, including attempt to murder.
Meanwhile, FIR No. 60/2026 reportedly included accused from both communities, but APCR alleged that Muslim accused were identified with detailed personal information while non-Muslim accused were described vaguely and booked under lighter offences.
“In total, 49 Muslims were named across the two FIRs compared to 17 Hindus,” the report stated.
Custodial torture allegations involving minors
One of the most serious allegations in the report concerns the detention of Muslim minors. APCR claimed that at least 25 Muslim children, including a 12-year-old boy, were detained on May 9 and held until around 2 am without following juvenile justice safeguards.
Witnesses quoted in the report alleged that minors were “forced to lie down, beaten, verbally abused, and had their feet stomped on by police personnel”.
The report further alleged that 22 Muslim men were detained for several days despite having no involvement in the violence and were physically assaulted in custody.
APCR argued that the incident should not be viewed merely as a communal clash, claiming that it was allegedly incited by right-wing groups and followed by biased police action against Muslims.
Demands for judicial inquiry
Following its findings, APCR has called for an independent judicial or magisterial inquiry into the violence and subsequent police conduct.
The organisation has demanded a forensic review of CCTV footage, police records, and hospital documents, alongside a reassessment of FIRs to ensure “accuracy, completeness and parity”.
The group also sought legal aid, medical support, and protection for affected families and witnesses.
