Aug 22, 2025: In accordance with Supreme Court orders, the CBI has arrested eight J&K Police personnel, including a DSP, in relation to the alleged custodial torture of a constable. The move comes nearly a month after the Supreme Court ordered the CBI to investigate the alleged illegal detention and custodial torture in 2023 that resulted in Constable Khursheed Ahmad Chohan's "castration." On Wednesday and Thursday, the police officers were taken into custody. Official sources said the arrested officials include DSP Aijaz Ahmad Naiko, Sub-Inspector Riyaz Ahmad, and six others.
CBI sources told The Tribune on Thursday that the arrested individuals were produced before a court in Srinagar and remanded to a five-day custody.
On July 21, a bench composed of Justices Sandeep Mehta and Vikram Nath ordered the CBI to register a case within seven days and establish a special investigation team (SIT) under the direction of an officer who does not fall below the rank of Superintendent of Police. “The police officials found responsible for the custodial torture shall be arrested forthwith and not later than a period of one month from today. The court had stipulated that "the investigation shall be completed within 90 days of the registration of the FIR." Officials said the arrests were made by the SIT of the CBI.
A senior official said the accused were taken into custody after being called for questioning. He added, "An additional investigation is underway." In addition, the Supreme Court had ordered the J&K government to compensate Chohan with Rs 50 lakh “to provide some solace to the victim and his family for the barbaric acts of custodial torture leading to complete castration.” Chohan alleged that he was illegally detained and tortured after being summoned in connection with a narcotics inquiry in February 2023. His wife’s attempts to file an FIR for custodial torture were unsuccessful, while the police instead registered a case against him for an alleged suicide attempt. The high court refused to quash the FIR, prompting him to approach the top court.
The matter is now listed before the Supreme Court on November 17 for the submission of a status report.