ContextOfLife

#ALARMING *Torture of Shiv Kumar* On 12 March 2026, Shiv Kumar, a labour rights activist, and Ilakkiya, a student activist, were abducted from the near gate of Dayal Singh College, Delhi. Their detention was carried out without any due process, in blatant violation of their fundamental legal and constitutional rights. Following his abduction, Shiv Kumar was subjected to systematic and severe physical and sexual torture. He was beaten with his own belt, with the metal buckle repeatedly directed at his genitals. He was suspended upside down for over two hours and beaten with a rubber baton on his lower body. Officers lifted him by his beard, crushed his foot under their shoes, and kept him handcuffed throughout his detention. He was continuously abused and coerced. He was forced to record a false statement at gunpoint claiming he had gone underground—clearly an attempt to conceal his illegal detention. He was also threatened with death. In an egregious act of sexual violence, Shiv Kumar and fellow detainee Rudra were stripped naked in each other’s presence and subjected to sexual humiliation and assault. Shiv Kumar was further coerced into physically assaulting another detainee. *Abduction and Torture of Manjeet Kumar* Later the same day, Manjeet Kumar, a worker and activist associated with the Majdoor Adhikar Sangathan and a close associate of Shiv Kumar, was abducted while returning from a solidarity programme demanding the release of Advocate Surendra Gadling. He was stripped naked, forced to lie face down, and beaten on the soles of his feet while officers sat on his back. Upon discovering his Dalit identity, officers subjected him to caste-based humiliation, forcing him to clean rooms while naked. He was also subjected to severe sexual violence, including being forced into a sexual act by an officer. This abuse was recorded by other officers present in the room. *Targeting of Family and Legal Support* When Manjeet’s mother and his friend Aman went to file a habeas corpus petition, Aman was abducted while returning to Delhi. After reaching near his village and separating from Manjeet’s mother (the petitioner), he was picked up and brought to the Delhi Police Special Cell office in New Friends Colony. He was explicitly threatened not to approach the courts. This represents a direct attack on the right to legal remedy and the justice system itself. *Further Abductions and Torture* On the following day, Gaurav was abducted and subjected to brutal torture and sexual humiliation alongside Rudra. Both were stripped naked, and Gaurav was physically assaulted, including being beaten with a metal chain on his genitals. He was coerced into recording a false statement and, upon refusal, his head was repeatedly slammed against a wall. Akshay, a *Delhi University Law Department student*, was also abducted and tortured. Officers deliberately targeted his previously injured knee, forcing his legs apart and applying pressure while beating him. Avinash was abducted on 13 March along with others. He was slapped, kicked, and humiliated, including being mocked and feminized. He and Gaurav were forced into degrading acts under threat of violence, and further abuse was inflicted on all detainees. Contd…