Death of 70 Year Old Man in Ahmedabad Police Custody Sparks Torture Allegations
Family of Zaheer Shaikh accuses police of custodial violence after his death following arrest in a beef seizure case.
The death of 70 year old Zaheer Shaikh in police custody in Ahmedabad’s Juhapura area has triggered outrage and serious allegations of custodial torture.
Shaikh was taken into custody on May 16 in a preventive detention case and was later booked in connection with an alleged cattle slaughter and beef possession case. His family claims he was physically assaulted during police interrogation and subjected to inhuman treatment.
According to relatives, police personnel allegedly beat Shaikh, abused him, and pulled his beard while questioning him. Family members also alleged that he was forced to consume a suspicious liquid after which his health rapidly deteriorated.
The family stated that before his death at SVP Hospital, Shaikh recorded a statement in which he named police officials who were allegedly involved in the assault.
His son, Toufik Sheikh, has submitted a complaint to Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G S Malik seeking strict action against the officers concerned. Advocate Nauman Ghanchi also alleged that despite Shaikh’s fragile health condition, he was subjected to physical violence while in custody.
The controversy is linked to a police raid carried out on May 5 in the Vejalpur area near Sonal Cinema Road. During the operation, police seized around 520 kilograms of suspected cattle meat, rescued a live calf, and recovered slaughter related equipment, vehicles, and weighing scales valued at nearly Rs 4.66 lakh.
Police had arrested several people in the case while others, including Shaikh, were reportedly absconding at the time. Videos circulating on social media allegedly showing suspects being beaten by police further intensified public anger.
Ahmedabad Police have denied all allegations of custodial torture and described the claims as baseless. Assistant Commissioner of Police A B Valand said Shaikh suffered from existing health conditions including diabetes. According to police, his condition worsened after he consumed medicine brought by his wife.
Officials said he was immediately shifted to the hospital and admitted to the ICU for treatment.
Following Shaikh’s death, protests broke out outside SVP Hospital, with local residents demanding an impartial investigation into the incident. Police have now launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Authorities also stated that Shaikh had previously been booked in multiple cases related to illegal slaughter, animal cruelty, rioting, and assault, and had earlier been detained under the PASA Act.
The incident has once again raised concerns over custodial safety and police conduct in Gujarat.