A video featuring an undertrial prisoner has gone viral, bringing renewed scrutiny to allegations of torture by police in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The recording emerged shortly after a surprise judicial inspection of the Deoband jail, raising concerns over the authenticity of a police encounter described by the inmate as a “half encounter.” The term originated from the prisoner who asserts he was shot in the leg following coercive treatment and torture by law enforcement officials. This incident has intensified attention on a police encounter that allegedly occurred on November 19, 2025.

Details from the Judicial Inspection

The controversy began with a surprise visit by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Parvinder Singh to the Deoband jail. The inspection followed critical remarks from the Allahabad High Court regarding police encounter protocols. During this visit, various injured inmates involved in prior encounter cases were questioned. A widely circulated clip features a prisoner, identified as Shehzad, detailing his version of events to the judge. Shehzad, son of Yaqoob and a resident of Nalheda Budhakhaira, claims he was apprehended following a police encounter on November 19, 2025.

The Prisoner’s Allegations

In the viral video, Shehzad describes traveling from Baghpat to attend a court hearing in Saharanpur when he alleges he was forcibly taken from a park in Shamli. He asserts that his mobile location can corroborate his account. Shehzad recounts being brought to a police station, where he claims he was beaten and given electric shocks in an effort to secure a confession regarding criminal activities. He further claims that he was taken to a forested area in the evening, where he was shot in the leg after being forced to kneel near a motorcycle. The inmate alleges that the police later staged the scene to make it appear as if there had been an exchange of gunfire.

Official Police Account from November 2025

At the time of the encounter, the police issued a contrasting account of the events. According to a press statement released on November 19, 2025, officers conducting routine checks near the Khudabakshpur canal claimed that two male suspects on a motorcycle fired upon them before attempting to flee. In the subsequent exchange of fire, one alleged assailant sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while the second individual escaped into nearby fields. The police identified the injured person as Shehzad, claiming he was wanted for multiple offenses, including cow slaughter.

Bail Granted Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Shehzad received bail from a Saharanpur court on November 28, 2025, pertaining to the cases against him. His lawyer, Mohammad Arif, stated that he had been in contact with Shehzad prior to the encounter, noting that Shehzad’s phone had been switched off shortly before he was reported injured in the police encounter. Following the incident, a petition was filed in court, resulting in Shehzad’s eventual release. Arif mentioned that his client is currently residing and working in Punjab.

Escalating Controversy and Questions Remain Unanswered

The emergence of the viral video has sparked renewed debate in legal circles and among locals regarding police conduct. While officials have maintained that the encounter was justified as self-defense during an ongoing operation, they have yet to respond to the specific allegations raised in the video. With two conflicting narratives at play—the prisoner’s accusations during the judicial inspection and the police’s official statement—there is growing interest in the possibility of a more extensive inquiry. The authenticity of the viral video remains unverified, and the administration has not provided a formal response to the claims made within it.