The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has suspended an investigating officer, Akash Rai, in connection with the alleged custodial death of a Border Security Force (BSF) constable, Jaswinder Singh, who was reportedly subjected to torture. Singh, a resident of RS Pura in Jammu and Kashmir, died on March 30 while in the custody of the NCB. The suspension of Officer Rai is in effect pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the serious allegations of custodial torture.
An official from the NCB, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the suspension, stating that it would remain in place until the investigation into the custodial torture claims is concluded. The agency has also initiated a departmental inquiry into the matter. “NCB is a responsible force and we want the probe to be impartial,” the official added. Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that allegations of spying had also surfaced in connection with the case, however, the official clarified that Jaswinder Singh was arrested in relation to a drug seizure.
The autopsy report of Jaswinder Singh, which circulated widely on Wednesday, revealed a disturbing array of 34 injuries across his body, including significant trauma to his private parts. These findings lend substantial weight to the family’s accusations of severe custodial torture. The precise cause of death, however, is awaiting further confirmation pending the results of a chemical examiner’s report from Kharar and histopathology findings from the Government Medical College in Amritsar. The family of the deceased BSF constable has been vocal in their demand for justice, highlighting the brutal circumstances surrounding his death.
Jaswinder Singh was apprehended by NCB officials on March 3 near Miran Sahib Chowk. He was reportedly on his way back to his village, Diwangarh, which is situated in close proximity to the International Border. At the time of his arrest, Singh was on leave from his posting in Tripura and was accompanying his mother to get medicines for her. The NCB’s action was reportedly in connection with an earlier case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which had been filed against his brother, Pupinder Singh. The family has consistently maintained that Jaswinder Singh was falsely implicated in the case.
A significant development in the legal proceedings occurred on March 9, a mere week after his arrest, when a Jammu court discharged Jaswinder Singh from the case. Despite this judicial reprieve, he allegedly succumbed to his injuries or ill-treatment while in NCB custody on March 30. The family, comprising his mother Gurmeet Kaur, brother Pupinder Singh, and wife Lovejeet Kaur, has been relentlessly pursuing justice for Jaswinder. In a recent development on Thursday, they met with District and Sessions Judge Jatinder Kaur, urging for an expedited inquest into the matter and the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the NCB officials implicated in the alleged custodial death. The family’s plea underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for accountability in the handling of individuals in state custody.
The circumstances surrounding Jaswinder Singh’s arrest and subsequent death have raised serious questions about the procedures and conduct of the NCB. His family’s persistent efforts to seek justice highlight the critical importance of due process and the prevention of custodial violence. The autopsy report, detailing numerous injuries, paints a grim picture of the treatment he may have endured. The withholding of the final cause of death pending further reports indicates the complex nature of the investigation, which will likely involve a thorough examination of medical evidence and witness testimonies. The suspension of Investigating Officer Akash Rai is a preliminary step, and the departmental inquiry, along with any potential criminal proceedings, will be closely watched by human rights advocates and the public alike.
The case also brings to the fore the broader issues of accountability within law enforcement agencies and the protection of fundamental rights of citizens, particularly when they are in state custody. The family’s engagement with judicial authorities signifies their determination to ensure that the truth is uncovered and that those responsible for any wrongdoing are brought to justice. The outcome of the ongoing investigations will be crucial in determining the extent of accountability and in reinforcing trust in the justice system. The NCB’s commitment to an impartial probe, as stated by its official, will be tested in the coming weeks and months as evidence is scrutinized and testimonies are heard. The family’s narrative of false implication and brutal treatment, supported by the autopsy findings, forms the crux of their demand for justice.
The involvement of a BSF constable, a member of a security force itself, in a drug-related case and subsequent alleged custodial death, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. It raises questions about the vetting processes and the circumstances under which security personnel might become entangled in such cases. The fact that Jaswinder Singh was discharged by a court prior to his death further intensifies the scrutiny on the NCB’s actions. The legal fraternity and civil society groups are expected to closely monitor the progress of the inquest and any subsequent legal actions, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness throughout the process. The family’s courage in pursuing this case against a powerful agency is a testament to their resolve for justice.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.