Cancer patient alleges police brutality, and forced confession:Sehore woman says she feared death and gave false statement to survive

Fifty-year-old Noorjahan from Ashta in Sehore district has been bedridden for a week, needing help even to sit or stand. Her husband, Sabir Lal, alleges that police brutality is responsible for her condition. Two policemen and a policewoman beat me badly at the police station. I thought I would die. To save myself, I gave a false statement. Said yes, I committed the theft. Though I did not steal. One policeman slapped me repeatedly, stood on my feet. Also hit me in the stomach, I was in severe pain. Noorjahan, a cancer patient who works as a domestic help to support her household, was accused of theft after Rs 1.4 lakh went missing from property dealer Arshad’s house on September 15. Allegations now claim police brutally beat her to force a confession. Bhaskar reporters visited Ashta to speak with Noorjahan and all involved parties to uncover the truth. Read the full ground report Inside Noorjahan’s ashta home Since this incident, his work has also come to a standstill. The fear of his wife’s condition and concern for the future is clearly visible in his eyes. Sabir says, The police are harassing us a lot. They keep calling repeatedly. No matter how many times we tell them that we haven’t done anything, they just won’t believe us. Out of fear and considering Noorjahan’s condition, we have kept her at a relative’s house so that she can get some rest. Accused despite innocence Sabir took us to a relative’s house, where Noorjahan lay on a bed, groaning in pain, with her frightened children nearby. Tears flowed as she said, I have been working in four-five houses in the neighborhood for many years. They are all like our own people. About 8–10 days ago, she skipped work at Arshad bhai’s house as they were away. The next day, they accused her of theft, demanding their money or threatening police action. Noorjahan pleaded, offering her house for a search, but nothing was found. They kept beating until I said ‘yes’
September 20 was the most horrific day for Noorjahan. She says, Around 11 am, Arshad bhai came to our house with two policemen. They took me and my husband to the police station. They made my husband sit outside and took me inside. There was also a female police officer there. All three started beating me together. I kept screaming, kept saying that I have cancer, I have severe pain in my stomach, but they didn’t listen to me at all. One policeman stood on my feet, kicked my stomach. They kept beating me until I confessed that yes, I had committed the theft. Only when I was half-dead from pain did they stop. Noorjahan suffers critical injuries Sabir says, Treatment continued for three days at Ashta hospital. When her condition worsened, doctors sent her to Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital for two days, but even there they said her condition is critical and advised taking her home. Doctors said the beating caused the lump in her stomach to burst. Now, Noorjahan cannot use the bathroom without support. Showing injury marks, Sabir adds, She screams in pain all day. When the police themselves did this, where should I go? I filed a complaint on the CM Helpline, but no action has been taken. Arshad explains theft allegation against Noorjahan Arshad, a property dealer, says his daughter’s wedding is on October 25. On September 15, he went to Indore for wedding shopping, leaving only his brother’s family at home. That night, he returned to find a cupboard open and Rs 1.4 lakh missing. The next morning, Noorjahan’s response raised suspicion: she said she would pray for the money’s return and asked for Rs 20–25 thousand if it came back. Her relatives claimed she had stolen before and allegedly made her confess, advising Arshad to file a police complaint. Lawyer said – Police showed brutality
Advocate Taj Mohammad, who is handling Noorjahan’s case, said, Noorjahan’s husband Sabir Lal came to me for help. He says that the police brutally treated his wife on false accusations. In this case, we will submit applications to the IG, SP and Human Rights Commission against those who assaulted at home and the police personnel who assaulted at the police station. Doctors confirm Noorjahan’s serious condition When Bhaskar asked Dr. Ankit Porwal of Ashta Civil Hospital about Noorjahan, he said she has liver cancer and was in serious condition when admitted, prompting his referral to Bhopal. Meanwhile, Dr. Disha Jha, who prepared the MLC report, commented over the phone. Noorjahan had swelling in her hand. There were also injury marks on her legs and left hip. It is difficult to say clearly how these injuries occurred. Police dismissed allegations Ashta SDOP Akash Amalkar dismissed claims of assault, saying, Mr. Arshad complained of theft and suspected his maid. The station in-charge sent one female and two male constables for questioning. The woman came with her husband and brother, and she admitted to stealing the money, after which we let her go. On harassment allegations, he added, This allegation is completely false. She is making such claims to save herself. No harassment or torture was given by the police.