Ahmedabad – Gujarat Police is under growing scrutiny after Congress state working committee president and MLA Jignesh Mevani called for strict accountability in the case of alleged custodial torture of a 17-year-old Muslim boy from Botad district. The boy, Aryan Makhiala, is in critical condition with kidney failure at a hospital in Ahmedabad.
Mevani described the case as “a shocking blot on democracy and humanity” and urged the Gujarat government to act immediately. He demanded that all officials involved, from constables to the district superintendent of police, face charges of custodial torture.
According to the family, Aryan was detained by Botad Town police on August 19 on suspicion of theft. They allege he was illegally held for nine days without being produced before a magistrate, during which he suffered beatings and sexual abuse that caused kidney damage. His grandfather, who tried to intervene, was also allegedly assaulted and detained for six days.
Botad police have denied arresting or detaining Aryan. A district officer dismissed the allegations over the phone, claiming no arrest had taken place.
The incident has triggered outrage among opposition leaders and rights groups. The Minority Coordination Committee has written to the Gujarat DGP demanding urgent action. Human rights activists argue the case reflects a wider pattern of custodial violence in the state.
The boy remains in intensive care at Zydus Hospital. His family’s complaint has not yet been registered by Botad police.
