The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered an investigation into allegations that Bhopal police humiliated a gangster named Zubair Maulana after his arrest on May 9. The court's decision follows a petition filed by Maulana's wife, Shameem Bano, who claims that police shaved her husband's head, beard, and moustache, violating his religious rights and human dignity.

The Jabalpur bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the State Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter. Justice Vishal Mishra, of the single-judge bench, stated that the court found that the police may have violated Articles 21, 22, and 25 of the Constitution. These articles guarantee personal liberty and freedom of religion. Advocate Prashant Chourasia, representing Shameem Bano, brought the alleged constitutional infringements to the court's attention.

Zubair Maulana, described as a notorious criminal with numerous cases against him, was arrested after a violent incident on May 6. According to reports, Maulana and a group of accomplices stormed the residence of rival gangster Saad Khan and fired gunshots. On the same day, Zubair and his gang arrived at the residence of Saad Khan's brother-in-law Faizal at Indira Nagar in Teela Jamalpura in Bhopal and fired gun shots in the air to create terror. Police arrested Maulana and three aides at a farmhouse, seizing a country-made pistol, live cartridges, and knives.

Following the arrest, Bhopal police paraded Zubair Maulana through the streets. Videos circulating online show Maulana being paraded with his head, beard, and moustache shaved, sparking public controversy. However, police have denied any misconduct, stating that Maulana had already altered his appearance to avoid recognition and mislead the police. According to police, when Zubair was arrested, he had already shaved his head, beard, and moustache.

The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has sought a report from the Commissioner of Police within two weeks, following the High Court’s directive. The Commission is taking cognizance of the alleged humiliation of Zubair Maulana.

Zubair Maulana has many criminal cases registered against him in Bhopal and Gairatganj. A reward of thirty thousand rupees was declared on him. Zubair has been dodging police for six months. He was accused of triggering violence in Mangalwara and Tila Jamalpura.

This is not the first time that questions have been raised about police conduct in Madhya Pradesh. In April 2025, the MP High Court imposed a fine on a Bhopal DIG for suppressing evidence in a murder probe. In another case, a DSP and head constable were arrested for falsely claiming to have killed a gangster in 2009, who was later found alive.