By TCN Staff Reporter,
Mumbai: The brutal face of Maharashtra police was exposed Wednesday afternoon when they sent to jail Bilal Abdul Qadir Sheikh just two days after he came out of ICU. Bilal was brutally beaten by Thane police on May 2 just for breaking a traffic signal. He suffered serious fractures and injuries that he had to be admitted to ICU at Rajmukhi Hospital in Mulund West where he was operated upon.
Bilal was discharged from the hospital on 14th May with direction of complete rest for at least four weeks. As after beating him on May 2 police had lodge a case against Bilal under section 353, his family members today took him to court for bail in the case, but a big shocker was waiting for them there. The police added a new charge under section 333 which is non-bailable. “Before we could understand, the court sent him on judicial custody of 14 days. This all happened within minutes as everything was prepared and planned. We were shocked to see it,” said Dr. Salim Sheikh, younger brother of Bilal Sheikh.
Bilal Abdul Qadir Sheikh underwent multiple operations on 9th May and was in ICU at Rajmukhi Hospital in Mulund West
Only on Monday noted civil rights activist Shabnam Hashmi of Anhad and Dr. Salim had met Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chauhan seeking justice for Bilal. They had demanded action against the guilty policemen who brutally beaten Bilal for a minor offence two weeks back.
“The CM gave us assurance. He said he would talk to Commissioner of Police for proper action. See, what we got today. It seems the police have taken revenge for highlighting the case and approaching the CM,” said Dr. Salim.
Bilal’s arrest has shocked Shabnam Hashmi also. She told TCN: “I am absolutely shocked at the arrest of Bilal who was brutally beaten up by the Police in Mumbai on May 2. I am shocked at the total non-action of the Chief Minister whom I met day before.”
Expressing sorrow she said it seems to have Muslim name or to be born in a Muslim family has become a crime in the country.
“This is the reality of Modern India. It is a crime to have a Muslim name. It is crime to be born in a Muslim family. While highly communal Police officers are roaming freely. Bilal who came out of ICU 2 days ago is being sent to jail,” she said.
Dr. Salim said Bilal was advised complete rest for four weeks. He would take about six months to fully recover. “He has been sent to jail while he does not have even necessary medicines which are must after major operations,” said sad Salim.
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http://twocircles.net/2012may10/bilal_sheikh_brutally_beaten_thane_police_crossing_traffic_signal.html