Riyaz’s family has approached the state’s Human Rights Commission with a complaint. On Monday, Zareena Begum, his mother, and Sanober Najmeen, his wife, alleged that their son was pressured for money by the deceased police constable Pramod before an encounter that led to Riyaz’s death.
The complaint states that there were financial dealings between Pramod and Riyaz. It alleges that Pramod demanded three lakh rupees, of which 30,000 rupees were paid. When Pramod came to take Riyaz, he was reportedly off-duty and had made several calls to Riyaz after receiving the initial payment.
The family claims that on the day Riyaz was reported missing, the police illegally detained them at the station. Despite their denial of knowing Riyaz’s whereabouts, they were allegedly subjected to severe questioning. They accused the police of staging a fake encounter and later forcing them to conduct the funeral under duress.
The Human Rights Commission had already taken notice of the encounter and instructed the Director General of Police (DGP) to submit a comprehensive report by November 24. Following the family’s complaint, the Commission’s Chairman, Justice Shamim Akhtar, has now ordered the submission of the encounter report by November 3. Additionally, the Commission has directed that no coercive actions be taken against Riyaz’s family members.
