Mohammed Khadeer facial recognition wrongful arrest, death

An Indian labourer was misidentified using facial recognition technology and illegally held, tortured and died at the hands of police in Telangana state. 

Mohammed Khadeer, 35, had been picked up by police from Yakutpura in Hyderabad apparently because his facial features matched with that of the culprit in the chain-snatching case. 

Even though the face in the recordings was hidden with a handkerchief and not clearly visible, Khadeer was held for five days in connection with a chain-snatching case. He was tortured and died of his wounds.

The incident sparked outrage amongst local politicians, human and civil rights activists, and the general public. 

Four police officers were later suspended from the Medak police, pending an investigation.

Medak police had initially told the Times of India that they had questioned Khadeer and let him go.