The Minority Coordination Committee (MCC), Gujarat, has urged the state Director General of Police (DGP) to take action against groups allegedly extorting livestock transporters on highways and police personnel accused of public flogging, parading and assaulting individuals.
In a representation submitted to the DGP on November 3, the committee cited incidents reported from several districts and called for the registration of FIRs, independent investigations and accountability for those found responsible.
MCC convener Mujahid Nafees expressed concern that incidents of mob violence against livestock transporters and alleged police brutality continued despite directions issued by the Supreme Court, Gujarat High Court and the state police chief.
Alleged Extortion and Assaults on Livestock Transporters
The committee cited incidents from Adalaj, Kapurai in Vadodara, Nana Chiloda, the Vasad area of Anand district, Siddhpur and Matar.
According to the representation, groups allegedly intercepted vehicles transporting buffaloes, goats and animal remains, demanded money from drivers and their companions, and assaulted them.
The MCC said the incidents raised concerns about highway safety, unlawful extortion and mob violence. It urged police to identify those involved, register FIRs wherever cognisable offences were disclosed and ensure impartial investigations.
Committee Flags Alleged Police Brutality
The representation also referred to reported incidents of alleged police brutality and public humiliation in Tapi, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Dwarka and Surat.
These included allegations that accused persons were paraded in public with their hands tied, assaulted during police operations or subjected to physical violence during crime-scene reconstruction.
The committee also cited the alleged public assault of Mohammad Aziz Sheikh, alias Rais Sheikh, in Ahmedabad’s Vejalpur area in May 2026.
The MCC said allegations of criminal offences must be dealt with through lawful procedures and that no individual should face public punishment, degrading treatment or violence outside due process. It called for impartial investigations and appropriate action against police personnel found responsible.
Cites Supreme Court and Gujarat High Court Directions
The committee referred to the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India, which laid down preventive, remedial and punitive measures to address mob violence and lynching.
These include identifying vulnerable areas, preventive policing, action against those inciting mob violence, protection for victims and accountability for officials who fail to perform their duties.
The MCC also cited directions issued by the Gujarat High Court in Writ Petition (PIL) No. 153 of 2018 concerning police intervention and sensitisation of personnel.
Further, it referred to a circular issued by the Gujarat DGP on May 12, 2026, directing senior police officers to initiate strict disciplinary action against personnel involved in reported human rights violations.
The committee said the continued reporting of such incidents raised questions about the implementation of these directions and accountability within the police force.
MCC Seeks Investigations and Time-Bound Action Report
The committee has urged the DGP to identify and prosecute groups allegedly involved in intercepting livestock vehicles, extortion, intimidation and mob violence. It has also called for prompt registration of FIRs wherever cognisable offences are disclosed and impartial investigations into the reported incidents.
On alleged police brutality, the MCC has sought independent inquiries into cases of public flogging, parading and assault, with criminal or departmental action against officials where allegations are established. It has also asked the DGP to review district-wise compliance with the May 12 circular.
The representation calls for the preservation of CCTV footage, videos and other evidence, as well as protection for complainants, victims and witnesses against intimidation. The committee has also sought stronger highway patrolling, mandatory human rights training for police personnel and accountability for supervisory officers where negligence or deliberate inaction is established.
‘Rule of Law Must Prevail Over Mob Violence and Public Punishment’
Nafees said the police had a responsibility to protect citizens from violence, extortion and intimidation while ensuring that law enforcement itself remained within constitutional and legal limits.
The committee maintained that allegations against individuals could not justify mob punishment or unlawful treatment by public officials. It urged the DGP to ensure that judicial directions translated into effective action and that accountability applied equally to private individuals, organised groups and public officials.
The MCC has sought a written, time-bound action-taken report from the DGP detailing investigations initiated, action against those found responsible and preventive measures.
The delegation that submitted the representation included Mujahid Nafees, Jamila Khan, Usman Gani Sherasiya and Abid Chuaara.
