Sambha, August 7: A habeas corpus petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an urgent hearing against the alleged torture meted out to social activist Talib Hussain, by the Jammu and Kashmir police. The Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra is likely to hear the matter tomorrow. The petitioner claimed that when Hussain was helping the family member of the Kathua victim, the police allegedly picked him up and there was no information as to where he is at present. On August 2, Hussain was arrested for allegedly raping a woman.

Supreme Court advocate Indira Jaising on Monday tweeted that Hussain was tortured in police custody. Jaising said that Hussain was being treated for serious skull injuries at a hospital in Samba. However, Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir Shesh Paul Vaid refuted the claims and claimed that Hussain hit himself on the head “out of frustration”. Vaid told scroll.in that other inmates saw the incident and that there was visual proof. As per the DGP, the activist had only sustained scratches and was taken back to the Samba Police station.

In June, Hussain was booked for alleged domestic violence based of the complaint filed by his wife, Nusrat.  He was charged for attempting to kill Nusrat over dowry. Hussain is a social activist and advocate. He led the protest seeking justice into the gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua district of the state earlier this year. He is also a key witness in the case which in May was transferred from Jammu to Pathankot by the Supreme Court.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2018 01:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).