India – CASR CONDEMNS ABDUCTION AND BRUTAL TORTURE OF ACTIVISTS BY DELHI POLICE SPECIAL CELL
We hereby share a press statement published by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR).
The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) strongly condemns the abduction, illegal detention, and brutal torture of labour rights activists student activists and anti-displacement activists by the Delhi Police Special Cell. These acts represent a grave assault on democratic rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
On 12 March 2026, Shiv Kumar, a labour rights activist, and Ilakkiya, a student activist, were abducted from the near gate of Dayal Singh College, Delhi. Their detention was carried out without any due process, in blatant violation of their fundamental legal and constitutional rights.
Torture of Shiv Kumar
Following his abduction, Shiv Kumar was subjected to systematic and severe physical and sexual torture. He was beaten with his own belt, with the metal buckle repeatedly directed at his genitals. He was suspended upside down for over two hours and beaten with a rubber baton on his lower body. Officers lifted him by his beard, crushed his foot under their shoes, and kept him handcuffed throughout his detention.
He was continuously abused and coerced. He was forced to record a false statement at gunpoint claiming he had gone underground—clearly an attempt to conceal his illegal detention. He was also threatened with death.
In an egregious act of sexual violence, Shiv Kumar and fellow detainee Rudra were stripped naked in each other’s presence and subjected to sexual humiliation and assault. Shiv Kumar was further coerced into physically assaulting another detainee.
Abduction and Torture of Manjeet Kumar
Later the same day, Manjeet Kumar, a worker and activist associated with the Majdoor Adhikar Sangathan and a close associate of Shiv Kumar, was abducted while returning from a solidarity programme demanding the release of Advocate Surendra Gadling. He was stripped naked, forced to lie face down, and beaten on the soles of his feet while officers sat on his back.
Upon discovering his Dalit identity, officers subjected him to caste-based humiliation, forcing him to clean rooms while naked. He was also subjected to severe sexual violence, including being forced into a sexual act by an officer. This abuse was recorded by other officers present in the room.
Targeting of Family and Legal Support
When Manjeet’s mother and his friend Aman went to file a habeas corpus petition, Aman was abducted while returning to Delhi. After reaching near his village and separating from Manjeet’s mother (the petitioner), he was picked up and brought to the Delhi Police Special Cell office in New Friends Colony. He was explicitly threatened not to approach the courts. This represents a direct attack on the right to legal remedy and the justice system itself.
Further Abductions and Torture
On the following day, Gaurav was abducted and subjected to brutal torture and sexual humiliation alongside Rudra. Both were stripped naked, and Gaurav was physically assaulted, including being beaten with a metal chain on his genitals. He was coerced into recording a false statement and, upon refusal, his head was repeatedly slammed against a wall.
Akshay, a Delhi University Law Department student, was also abducted and tortured. Officers deliberately targeted his previously injured knee, forcing his legs apart and applying pressure while beating him.
Avinash was abducted on 13 March along with others. He was slapped, kicked, and humiliated, including being mocked and feminized. He and Gaurav were forced into degrading acts under threat of violence, and further abuse was inflicted on all detainees.
Torture of Rudra
Rudra was taken to a senior officer’s room, where he was severely beaten, stripped naked multiple times, and subjected to extreme sexual violence and humiliation. He was threatened with extrajudicial killing and told his death would be staged as a suicide. He was also coerced into false statements and subjected to degrading acts intended to break his dignity and will.
Systematic Pattern of Abuse
All detainees were subjected to continuous physical assault, sexual violence, humiliation, and coercion. These testimonies collectively reveal a systematic campaign of state terror targeting labour activists, student activists, ANTi-displacement activists and those seeking justice.
The methods employed—including illegal abduction, incommunicado detention, custodial torture, sexual violence, caste-based degradation, forced confessions, and threats against families—constitute serious violations of the Constitution of India, the Protection of Human Rights Act, and India’s obligations under international law, including the UN Convention Against Torture.
The targeting of Aman to prevent the filing of a habeas corpus petition demonstrates a deliberate attempt to obstruct judicial processes and undermine the rule of law.
DEMANDS
1. Immediate cessation of illegal detentions, torture, and harassment of labour, student, and anti-displacement activists.
2. Institution of an independent judicial inquiry into these incidents.
3. Immediate prosecution and punishment of the Delhi Police Special Cell officials responsible.
4. Immediate release of all illegally seized digital devices and personal belongings of the activists.
End State Violence. Uphold Democratic Rights.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST STATE REPRESSION
(AIRSO,AISF, APCR, ASA, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM, COLLECTIVE, CRPP, CSM, CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana, Fraternity, IAPL, Innocence Network, Karnataka Janashakti, LAA, Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, Mazdoor Patrika, NAPM, Nazariya Magazine , Nishant Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi Janparishad, Smajwadi lok manch, Bahujan Samjavadi Mnach, United Peace Alliance, WSS, Y4S)
