Indian Police Inspector Arrested for Torture of Muslim Man

A police inspector in northern India was arrested following an investigation that found him guilty of torturing a Muslim man while in custody last year. Radheshyam Sharma, the head of the Palwal city police station in Haryana, was suspended and taken into custody on Saturday.

The arrest was prompted by a complaint filed by a man from the neighboring state of Rajasthan. The complainant accused the officer of inflicting severe physical abuse. The victim, identified as Abid from Sangod village in Rajasthan’s Kota, had traveled to Palwal in December 2024 for work.

According to the complaint, Mr. Abid was hired to care for a man's paralyzed father for a promised sum. When the employer allegedly refused to pay, a dispute arose, and the employer contacted the police. Mr. Abid alleged that the police took him to the police station where Inspector Sharma subjected him to brutal physical abuse, including being forced to drink and having a solution injected into his private parts.

Following Mr. Abid’s complaint, police registered a case and launched a departmental inquiry. The investigation, which utilized CCTV footage and medical statements, concluded on April 16th, confirming the allegations. The inspector was suspended on the same day.

Mr. Sharma, who previously headed Haryana’s Special Cow Protection Task Force, has faced similar allegations in the past. A separate inquiry is ongoing regarding claims of physical assault on two suspects in a cybercrime case. His past role has garnered support from far-right Hindu groups. Hindu activists have threatened protests if Mr. Sharma is not cleared.

Cows are considered sacred by many Hindus, and cow vigilante groups are accused of enforcing laws banning cattle slaughter and beef consumption, often violently. In recent years, these groups have been accused of extrajudicial activities, sometimes with police backing. Their activities have increased since the Hindu nationalist party took power.

A local legislator denied political interference and welcomed the action against the officer, stating that the inspector was a "habitual offender." He added that such behavior has been emboldened due to support from the local administration and because it instills fear in minorities.

A recent report found that Muslims were unfairly targeted, tortured, and killed in custody, with no police accountability. The National Crime Records Bureau reported over a thousand custodial deaths between 2011 and 2022, but no police officer faced punishment.

The Palwal superintendent of police stated that they acted decisively after confirming the allegations, emphasizing that the law is equal for all and that there is zero tolerance for such acts.