Muslim boys' arrest: witnesses say police made them sign documents

The Muslim boys, who spent time in jail after being accused of spitting on a Hindu procession, and their family, found themselves traumatized by the events that followed, including the demolition of their home, and now hesitate to pursue their rightful case in court, fearing further persecution.

The incident occurred during the Mahakal Lok procession, in the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

The witnesses, whose statements were included in the FIR against the boys, told the court that they had no intimation that they were signing a document about an incident of which they had no knowledge, leading to their release on bail, according to The Indian Express.

The accused, two brothers aged 18 and 15, along with their 15-year-old friend, were apprehended by the police on July 17. Subsequent protests by right-wing outfits prompted the district administration to demolish what they deemed "illegal constructions" at the brothers' residence.

The demolition, accompanied by a heavy police presence and drummers playing in the background, added a layer of controversy to an already contentious situation.

The police had filed a First Information Report (FIR) under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 295A (outraging religious feelings) and 153A (promoting enmity). However, during cross-examination, the complainant, Sawan Lot, and another witness, Ajay, reportedly changed their statements in court, claiming they were unaware of the spitting incident.

Sawan Lot even mentioned that he only learned about the incident when taken to the police station and denied seeing anyone spitting on the procession.

The investigating officer, sub-inspector Liban Kujor, denied any wrongdoing and attributed witness hostility to various reasons. Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma acknowledged witness hostility as a common occurrence but failed to elaborate on the specific circumstances surrounding this case.

The legal saga took an unexpected turn as the accused teenagers were granted bail following the witnesses' change of testimony. However, the fallout from the incident extended beyond legal proceedings, as the district administration razed the accused brothers' home, claiming it to be a separate matter related to building safety.

The families of the accused, now residing in rented accommodation, express their desire for a return to normalcy. The boys, particularly the 15-year-olds, spend most of their time indoors, avoiding public spaces. The psychological impact of the arrest and subsequent legal battle has left them hesitant to resume their normal lives, including attending school.

The boys' lawyer, Devendra Sengar, revealed that he encouraged the families to pursue action against the administration for the demolition. However, fearing further persecution, the families opted against it. The sensitive nature of the case and its exploitation by politicians during elections have added to the families' reluctance to pursue additional legal action.

The teenagers' uncle, reflecting on the aftermath, emphasized the damage caused by media attention and political exploitation. He lamented that while the boys' initial arrest went unnoticed, their subsequent ordeal became a tool for political gains during elections. The family now seeks closure, urging the public and media to allow them to move on from the controversial incident.