Mumbai cops thrash 2 Muslim youths, ask them to go to Pakistan

Some policemen allegedly beat up two Muslim youth at a police station in suburban Bandra and asked them to go to Pakistan for being "agents" of that country after they had a fight with the cops, prompting authorities to launch a probe into the incident. "A DCP began inquiring into the incident last evening and an appropriate action will follow," city Police Commissioner Ahmed Javed told PTI today. The incident happened in the wee hours of Saturday. The youths, Asif Sheikh and Danish Sheikh (both 19), had alleged that they were assaulted by police inspector Kedar Pawar and others, who were on night duty, in Bandra police station. "Pawar also asked them to leave the country while dubbing them as Pakistani agents," a relative of Asif claimed. However, a police officer attached to Bandra police station said the youths were picked from Bandra Reclamation at 2:30 AM on Saturday when they were fighting with each other and that Asif had attacked Inspector in the police station. "When the youths were brought to the police station on Saturday morning, Asif was shouting and behaving aggressively with the police and boasted his contacts with high-profile and influential Muslim political leaders of the state," the officer said. He alleged while the police were questioning Asif, he punched Pawar three times without any provocation. Police said Asif was taken to Bhabha hospital for medical examination to ascertain whether his admission was necessary but doctors there said that his injuries were minor. When asked how Asif and Danish suffered injuries, the officer said the inquiry will reveal everything. A complaint in this regard was lodged by Asif's uncle Omar.