Patiala: Two Dalit brothers from Kakrala village in Nabha, Patiala district, have complained to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, alleging that personnel at Chhintanwala police post tortured them in custody over a suspected theft.The daily-wage masons alleged that they were stripped, severely beaten, verbally abused and given electric shocks before being released. They sought an independent inquiry, legal protection and action against the personnel involved.The brothers said they had been working at the house of fellow villager Baghel Singh, where a theft was reported on the night of Aug 24. They alleged they were handed over to the police without any preliminary investigation or credible evidence.In their Sept 1 petition, they urged the commission to take suo motu cognisance of the alleged human rights violation and caste-targeted abuse. They sought an investigation by a senior independent officer or agency rather than the local police.They also sought preservation of CCTV footage, DVRs, daily diary registers and custody records, an independent medico-legal examination, removal of the accused personnel from active duty and security for their family.Punjab BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha vice-president Paramjit Singh Kainth, who visited the family with community leaders, demanded a transparent, time-bound investigation. He warned that the organisation would launch a statewide agitation if officers were shielded.Chhintanwala police post in charge, sub-inspector Chamkaur Singh, rejected the torture allegations. He said the brothers had been questioned only four days earlier as part of the investigation and accused them of using pressure tactics.Chamkaur Singh claimed CCTV footage showed that a son of one of the suspects had left a small gate open, through which burglars later entered the house on the night of Aug 24 and stole gold ornaments worth Rs 10 lakh. He said a case would be registered only after the investigation and collection of evidence, including call details.
