PARIDKOT: The medical examination and subsequent operation conducted on convict Iftekhar Khan, a Juggler, seems to have put the doctor a and the police at loggerheads. While the police deny having tortured Iftekhar, the doctors claim that the abnormal growth of new bone tissues in both of his thighs was due to “trauma” (pressure).
Iftekhar Khan, a resident of Manpuri district of Uttar Pradesh, said that he was picked up by the Jatu police in May on the charge of committing burglaries and alleged torture by the police while he was in police custody.
According to a spokesman of the ‘Association for Democratic Rights, Iftekhar, who was in jail, was ordered to be sent to the hospital after he complained of his deteriorating health to the District and Sessions Judge.
Medical experts claim that Iftekhar body had responded with a unique “defensive reflex” as it had grown now ‘bone tissues allegedly after police torture, The case was also discussed in monthly meeting of the faculty of the Govt. Medical College and Hospital. ‘The college also intends to publish a paper in journal as, according to them, it is a rare Case in the medical history.
The medical experts further said that the convict was subjected 10 severe beatings, stretching of the legs and running of a roller with Mon on it over the thighs when he was in police custody.
The medical examination has revealed that 9×4 cm hard lump was formed in the right thigh of the convict. Another lump of 8x3cm was discovered in the loft thigh. The report says that bone forming cells had moved the blood clots in the thighs to grow new bones.
On the other hand, the police, denying torture, maintain that the bone formation could be due to gymnastics performed by the juggler.
Iftekhar, according to records, was ‘arrested on May 28, 1995 and sent to judicial custody.
A police official alleged that the doctors were trying to capitalize on the issue as they wanted to attend international seminars.
But the AFDR contests the version of the police and has demanded strict action against guilty policemen.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 13, 1996
