Patna: Student activists released from Beur Central Jail have alleged police harassment, intimidation and discriminatory treatment during their detention following the crackdown on protesters ahead of the Bihar Bandh. The allegations were made by Patna University students and members of student organisations after they were released on Thursday evening.
Among those released was Patna University student Saba Afreen, who claimed she was subjected to religious profiling and offensive questioning after being detained on July 24.
Speaking to reporters, Afreen alleged that police questioned her about the source of her funding and asked whether she had received “jihad training.” She also claimed officers made derogatory remarks based on her identity, saying she was told that while others merely protest, she would “behead people.”
According to Afreen, she and other students were on their way to prepare for a protest in support of students’ rights when plainclothes police officers intercepted them and took them into custody.
She further alleged that police personnel told her student protesters should be labelled as “unknown persons” and killed in encounters.
Claims of Detention Without Basic Facilities
Afreen said police drove her around for nearly three hours before taking her to Shahpur police station, where she was allegedly informed that she would be detained until the protests subsided. She claimed she was later taken to Gandhi Maidan police station, where she was made to sign an FIR before being sent to Beur Central Jail.
Recalling her time in jail, Afreen alleged that although she was initially informed she could access the prison library and move around the women’s ward during the day, she was later denied permission to use the library. She also claimed authorities refused her request for paper and a pen.
She further alleged that prison officials cited the lack of adequate security for women inmates as the reason for restricting her movement outside the women’s ward.
Afreen also claimed police threatened to ruin her career and alleged that inmates were treated differently based on caste, religion and economic background. She further alleged that women prisoners were assaulted over minor issues and were not allowed to directly approach prison officials, instead being required to communicate through written applications.
Student Union President Alleges Illegal Detention
Patna University Students’ Union President Shantanu Shekhar, who was detained on the night of July 22, also levelled serious allegations against the police.
He claimed that around 150 police personnel arrived at his residence around 1 a.m., entered his home, pointed a gun at his temple, blindfolded him and took him away without informing his family.
According to Shekhar, he was driven around for several hours before being taken to Khagaul police station. He alleged that his family spent the entire night searching police stations across Patna because authorities did not disclose his whereabouts.
Shekhar further claimed that once his family learned he was at Khagaul police station, he was shifted to other police stations before being produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate and subsequently lodged in Beur Central Jail.
“Kept With Convicted Criminals”
Shekhar alleged that after arriving at Beur Jail, he was transferred between different wards and was eventually housed alongside convicted prisoners.
He also criticised the quality of food served in jail, describing it as inadequate. Despite the detention, Shekhar said he would continue raising issues concerning students’ rights.
AISA Leader Also Alleges Misconduct
All India Students’ Association (AISA) Bihar president Dhananjay also alleged that he was detained a day before the Bihar Bandh while visiting MLA Sandeep Saurabh.
He claimed that several vehicles carrying STF personnel arrived at the location and that officers behaved aggressively before taking him into custody. He said he was produced before a magistrate and later sent to Beur Central Jail.
Describing the jail routine, Dhananjay said inmates underwent multiple headcounts throughout the day. He alleged that the food served—including jaggery and gram for breakfast, rice and lentils for lunch, and roti with vegetables for dinner—was of poor quality and unfit for consumption.
Police Yet to Respond to Allegations
The allegations made by the released student activists have not been independently verified. At the time of filing this report, there was no official response from Bihar Police or prison authorities regarding the claims of harassment, discrimination and custodial treatment.
The students were detained as part of preventive action ahead of the Bihar Bandh and subsequent protests in the state. The matter is expected to draw further attention as the activists seek accountability over their alleged treatment during custody.
