Telangana: BJP demands judicial probe into 'custodial torture' of 8 dalits

Karimnagar: Telangana BJP president K Laxman on Tuesday demanded a probe by a sitting judge into the alleged "custodial torture" of eight "dalits" arrested last month for torching a truck in Rajanna Sircilla district.

"We have reported the matter to the National Human Rights Commission and to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes," he told reporters.

Laxman claimed the victims of torture belonged to Scheduled Caste community.

"The brutal act of torturing the dalits by subjecting them to electric shocks is a heinous matter. We strongly condemn this incident," the BJP leader said after visiting the Karimnagar District Prison where the men are lodged.

On Monday, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar had visited the prison and demanded a judicial inquiry to find out veracity of allegations that they were illegally confined in the police station and subjected to third degree methods.

She said the Congress would raise the issue in Parliament.

The eight were arrested on July 2 for allegedly torching a sand-laden truck, which was involved in a road accident, causing the death of a person.

They also allegedly attacked policemen in connection with the incident at a village in Rajanna Sircilla district.

Some political parties and outfits had alleged the accused, residents of Nerella, were "tortured" while in police custody and subjected to "third degree methods".