Maharashtra: Man from Phase Pardhi tribe dies in police custody in Solapur, torture alleged

Bhima Kale’s wife, Swati with one of her seven children. Pics/Hanif Patel

A 35-year-old man from the Phase Pardhi tribe died early this week after allegedly being subjected to custodial torture at Vijapur Naka police station in Solapur district. His family said that the tribe's members are often picked up by the police when a crime takes place in the city. Bhima Kale died in a hospital on October 3 but his family did not take his body for two days.

The body was kept in the hospital's mortuary as the family and hundreds of Pardhi tribals staged a sit-in in Solapur and demanded a probe. On October 5, the family accepted the body, and his last rites were conducted.

Deceased Bhima Kale

Kale lived with his wife Swati and seven children and used to work as a labourer in a field, said his cousin Rajesh Kale, who is a corporator and deputy mayor at Solapur Municipal Corporation.

Kept in detention

"He was picked up by police on September 18 but he was produced before the court on September 23. Why did the police keep him in illegal detention for almost a week? He was badly beaten during the illegal detention," Rajesh told mid-day.

The Phase Pardhi tribals protest demanding a probe after Bhima Kale's death in a government hospital. Pic/Hanif Patel

Rajesh further alleged that the police broke Kale's legs and wanted him to confess to crimes he had not committed. "Both his legs were broken as he was beaten up in police custody," Rajesh said.

"On September 23, the court sent him to two days' police remand. And when his wife went to meet him at Vijapur Naka police station, she saw him bleeding from his leg and writhing in pain," he added.

Rajesh Kale, deputy mayor of Solapur Municipal Corporation and Bhima Kale's cousin

"On September 24, his wife approached the court, which ordered quick intervention. Kale was to be produced in court again on September 25 but he was admitted to a government hospital before that and a constable was sent for the court hearing," Rajesh said.

Swati's advocate Rajendrasingh Bayas said, "The constable was pulled up by the judge as the Investigating Officer Assistant Police Inspector (API) Shantikumar Kolhyal should have appeared before the court." Although a videotaped post-mortem was conducted, the family has not been given a report yet. "There is something fishy which needs to be thoroughly investigated," Bayas said.

Why the discrimination?

State president of Dadaji Adivasi Phase Pardhi Samaj Sangathana, Matin Bhosale, said, "Our community often has to face police brutality and social discrimination. The police know that there is no one to help us and hence they harass us. They think we are criminals. Who gave API Kolhyal the right to assault Kale in police custody?" Bhosale said.

"Phase Pardhi community has been living with the tag of thieves or burglars since colonial times. The police produce fake or concocted evidence to nail Phase Pardhi tribals," said Bhosale.

"We have been requesting senior police officers and politicians to book the responsible policemen for Kale's murder," said Bhosale, adding, "His kin must be given a government job as compensation as he has seven children aged between two and 10 years."

He was unwell: Police

Police claimed that Kale died of multiple diseases, including ‘heart and kidney ailments'. However, the matter has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Solapur for a probe.

Commissioner of Solapur police Ankush Shinde said, "Kale was a history-sheeter and we had arrested him in a house-breaking theft case as his motorcycle was seen near a crime scene."

"But soon after his arrest, he fell ill and we got him admitted to a hospital where he died. The cause of death mentioned in the post-mortem report says that he died of coronary artery disease," Shinde said.

Police Inspector Uday Patil, however, said, "Kale was under dialysis as his kidneys were damaged. He was also undergoing psychiatric treatment. After his death, we registered an Accidental Death Report and the CID, Solapur team is investigating the matter."

Asked about Kale's broken legs, Patil said, "His legs were not broken. They were bandaged after they got swollen as no urine was getting passed due to kidney damage."

Rajesh, however, said, "The police have manipulated facts to safeguard their own men. Kale was completely fit and fine."

18
Day in Sept cops picked up Bhima Kale

23
Day in Sept he was produced in court for remand hearing