Magisterial enquiry ordered into the death of Pulwama man as family alleges he died of 'torture in illegal custody'

Srinagar: A magisterial enquiry has been initiated into the custodial death of Imtiaz Ahmad Pala of Pulwama in southern Kashmir who died after being picked up by a team of Special Operation Group of J&K police in connection with a “narcotics” case.

The police officials said that Pala of Braw Bandina village in Pulwama was detained in connection with a "narcotics case and he developed severe health complications" at the police station after which he was shifted to a hospital where he was declared "brought dead". However, police has not issued an official statement regarding this incident and the case that Pala was detained for. "A magisterial enquiry has been initiated into the incident,'' Inspector General of Police in Kashmir VK Birdi told ET.

Family of Pala, who was in his mid 30's and worked as an electrician, refuted the police claims alleging that he "was killed in illegal custody of the SOG who tortured him in a ply board factory in a nearby village." "SOG picked him up on Monday and tortured him inside a ply factory in nearby Graw Gund village where he had done some electrical work in a mosque. He died of extreme torture in the illegal custody," said a relative of Pala.


The family was informed about Pala's death on Tuesday between 4pm to 5pm and the police shifted his body to the police control room in Srinagar for medico-legal formalities. From the PCR, the body was handed over to the family members at around 3am on Wednesday. "We were directed to bury the body as quickly as possible and ensure thin attendance at the funeral. We did whatever they asked us to do, but we want justice. He was not involved in any narcotics case," said a relative. Pala is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

Former chief minister of J&K Mehbooba Mufti also demanded an impartial probe into the alleged custodial killing of Pala. "Imtiaz Ahmed, an accused in a Narcotics case from Pulwama, has died in police custody while another is battling for his life at Base Hospital in Badami Bagh. Imtiaz’s family claims he suffered grievous injuries during interrogation. An impartial probe must be initiated to get to the bottom of the truth," she wrote on X.