The National Human Rights Commission and the Uttar Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) have issued notices to Bareilly Police in Uttar Pradesh over serious allegations of illegal detention and custodial torture of seven Muslim men in Bareilly, falsely accused of being part of a “conversion racket.”
The rights panels were acting upon a complaint filed by one Parveen Akhtar, wife of one of the seven detainees.
In a strongly worded order, the NHRC has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Bareilly, to investigate the matter and submit a detailed report by September 9, 2025.
“Looking to the nature of allegations made in the complaint it would be appropriate to call for a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police, Bareilly who shall look into the matter and after necessary inquiry associating the complainant, send his report to the Commission on or before 09.09.2025,” the NHRC said in its notice.
The family of Mehmood Beg, one of the seven detainees, say the men were picked up by Bareilly Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) in plain clothes last month on August 28, without any arrest memos, FIRs, or warrants, late at night. The whereabouts of the man are still unknown.
Parveen Akhtar, wife of 65-year-old Mehmood Beg, said she has been living in fear since her husband’s disappearance.
“My husband is diabetic and weak. For weeks, I didn’t even know where he was. When I begged for his release, the police demanded one lakh rupees. I fear they will kill him inside and then frame him in a false case,” she said.
“They also threatened my son while they were taking my husband away, I am now living in fear,” she added.
Beg’s son, Mudassar, told Maktoob, “Around 11 men came on vehicles and took my father away, at midnight that day,” adding that he has not seen his face since then.
“As I protested, one of the men pointed a gun at me and claimed to be policemen,” he added.
The family of the detainee allege that he was tortured in custody, subjected to severe beatings and electric shocks, and coerced into signing blank papers or forced confessions.
Earlier this week, the Allahabad High Court also intervened, summoning senior police officials — including the ADG, IG, and SSP Anurag Arya — to appear in person on September 8 and produce the detainees in court. The court observed that if the allegations of illegal detention and torture were true, it amounted to a grave violation of fundamental rights. With the High Court hearing scheduled for September 8 and the NHRC’s report due on September 9.
 have issued notices to Bareilly Police in Uttar Pradesh over serious allegations of illegal detention and custodial torture of seven Muslim men in Bareilly, falsely accused of being part of a “conversion racket.”){kind=link}