Amit Shah likely to face 48-hour mental torture in CBI custody

So the point of discussion today evening among curious journalists was that, how CBI would behave with former minister of state for Home, Law and Jail Shri Amit Shah during his 48 hour custodial remand?

The answers were many, but some experienced senior journalist delivered near perfect picture of what could happen with Shah.

There are two kinds of torture; one is physical and another is mental. CBI officials are likely to use second option while interrogating Shah. While in judicial custody, the court had ordered CBI to question Shah only between 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, in CBI custody, Shah could be interrogated any time. CBI sleuths will most probably not allow Shah to sleep properly during night. Shah has lived comfortable life for last many years, as minister. Moreover he is born rich, and therefore, it seems that taking him, out of his comfort zone is not very tough job for CBI. Other tactics CBI might use are verbal torture, repeating questions, presenting fictitious situation and provoke him to say truth etc.

According to legal eagles, any statement during custodial remand has little significance in courtroom, because accused can easily backtrack and say, that his statement in custody was untrue and it happened only due to torture.

CBI was ready to question Shah in custody in presence of his advocate. However Shah’s advocate will remain present only at distance, from where he will be able to watch Shah’s interrogation, but would not be allowed to listen it out.

For CBI which is allegedly working under its political masters, Shah’s custody is important because, Shah is direct link to Narendra Modi, whom the agency wants to frame ultimately. Also the agency would look for any clue on Rajasthan BJP leaders.

Though Shah demanded, Justice Akil Qureshi of Gujarat High Court has not approved videography of custodial investigation. CBI might carry out selective video recording of Shah through hidden camera, however legally speaking, such footage would prove nothing in courtroom.

CBI’s advocate Ezaz Khan will remain present during Shah’s interrogation in CBI custody.

Selective media leakage of Shah’s interrogation is very much possible. On Sunday and Monday, the well-known national English newspapers will probably carry out leaked interrogation stories of Shah on front page. If CBI sleuths treat Amit Shah as just another accused, and torture him even little bit physically, it would be embarrassing for Shah to tell the public, all the things that happened with him during the custodial interrogation.

To take Shah on remand early in the morning on Saturday, the CBI has already submitted court order to Sabarmati jail. It is believed that Shah would be kept at Gandhinagar based CBI/SIT office for two days for custodial remand.