Cattle slaughter case accused dies during treatment at SVP Hospital, custodial torture allegations spark controversy

A cattle slaughter case uncovered earlier this month in Ahmedabad’s Vejalpur area has triggered a major controversy for the city police after a key accused died during treatment at SVP Hospital amid allegations of custodial torture and misconduct by police personnel.

The case stems from a raid conducted by the Vejalpur police on May 5 in an open field behind Neha Flats near Sonal Cinema Road in Juhapura. Acting on a tip-off, a surveillance squad allegedly recovered around 520 kilograms of cattle meat, rescued a live calf and seized equipment believed to have been used for illegal slaughter activities.

Police also confiscated weighing scales, a pedal rickshaw, an autorickshaw, a Hyundai i20 car without a registration plate and a mobile phone. The total value of the seized property was estimated at ₹4.66 lakh.

Three accused, Mushtaq Tahirbhai Malariwala, Raish Inayat Hussain Sheikh and Munaf alias Kalu alias Hako Mohammadbhai Mir, were arrested from the spot, while several others, including alleged kingpin Mohammad Sajid alias Murgi and Zahiruddin alias Zahir Dabba Gyasuddin Sheikh, allegedly fled the scene.

Soon after the raid, the operation drew criticism following allegations that a police sub-inspector and two constables publicly flogged some of the accused on a PCR van near Sonal Cinema Road. Videos and claims relating to the alleged assault circulated locally, intensifying scrutiny of police conduct.

The controversy deepened after the arrest of Zahiruddin Sheikh, 64, by Sarkhej police on May 16 in connection with another preventive detention case. According to police, Sheikh’s health deteriorated shortly after his detention and he was admitted to Sola Civil Hospital for treatment.

Police stated that after being discharged on May 18, Sheikh was handed over to Vejalpur police for questioning in the cattle slaughter case and was formally arrested later that evening.

According to officials, Sheikh’s wife, Rukshanabanu Sheikh, visited the police station during the night and gave him medication for diabetes and other ailments. Police claimed that his health deteriorated after consuming the medicine, following which he was shifted to Sola Civil Hospital and later referred to Asarwa Civil Hospital and subsequently SVP Hospital, where he died during treatment.

Defence counsel Advocate Nauman Ghanchi, however, alleged that Sheikh was subjected to custodial torture despite his poor medical condition. Ghanchi further claimed that police personnel named in the earlier flogging allegations forced Sheikh to consume a “suspicious drink” during interrogation.

A video purportedly recorded by Sheikh’s son, Toufik Sheikh, has also surfaced in which the accused, appearing semi-conscious, allegedly claimed that he had been given a drink by one of the constables identified as Akshay. Toufik Sheikh has submitted a representation to Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G S Malik seeking action in the matter. The application was reportedly received by Joint Commissioner of Police Neeraj Badgujar.

Ahmedabad Police have denied all allegations of torture and wrongdoing.

A B Valand, assistant commissioner of police, M Division, stated that Sheikh was under continuous medical supervision in the ICU, making allegations of custodial assault is “completely baseless”. He further clarified that the medication consumed by the accused had been brought by his wife at the police station.

Following Sheikh’s death, tension prevailed outside SVP Hospital as protestors gathered demanding action against the police personnel allegedly involved in the incident.

Police officials said an inquiry has been initiated into the circumstances surrounding Sheikh’s deteriorating health, including the medicines administered to him while in custody.

Police records show that Sheikh had multiple criminal cases registered against him at Vejalpur, Shahpur, Gaikwad Haveli and Karanj Police Stations under provisions related to illegal slaughter activities, animal cruelty, rioting and assault. He had also been detained under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA) on several occasions