High Court Orders Preservation of Surveillance Data in Malakpet Custodial Torture Case
The Telangana High Court intervened in an alleged illegal detention case, ordering police to secure CCTV logs from a Hyderabad station. A local goldsmith claims he was subjected to physical abuse by officers during a gold recovery investigation.
Key takeaways
- Justice T. Madhavi Devi ordered Hyderabad Police to preserve Malakpet station CCTV footage from July 17 to 18.
- Goldsmith P. Srikanth alleges he was illegally detained and tortured by police in connection with a gold recovery case.
- Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar is tasked with reviewing surveillance and photographic evidence of the alleged abuse.
- The court mandated immediate disciplinary action if evidence confirms the petitioner was subjected to unauthorized detention.
Judicial Oversight of Police Conduct
Justice T. Madhavi Devi of the Telangana High Court has issued a directive to the Hyderabad Police, requiring the immediate preservation of all surveillance recordings from the Malakpet police station. The order specifically covers the 24-hour period spanning July 17 to July 18. This legal intervention follows a writ petition filed by P. Srikanth, a 37-year-old goldsmith who alleges he was a victim of illegal detention and physical violence at the hands of law enforcement.
Allegations of Illegal Detention and Assault
According to legal filings, the petitioner was apprehended at his place of employment on the night of July 17. His counsel, Kadire Ajith Reddy, argued that the Malakpet police targeted Srikanth under the suspicion that he was involved in a gold recovery operation. The petition details a timeline of unauthorized custody and severe physical maltreatment during the hours the goldsmith was held at the station.
Mandate for Internal Accountability
The court directed Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar to personally review the relevant CCTV footage to verify the petitioner's claims. Beyond the video evidence, Justice Devi ordered the Commissioner to examine photographic evidence submitted by Srikanth, which reportedly documents his injuries and the circumstances of his confinement. The court instructed that if the evidence confirms the allegations of illegal detention, the Commissioner must initiate disciplinary or legal proceedings against the responsible officers.
Source: The Hindu — National
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