A government probe into the beating up of young couples in a public park in Meerut on Thursday held three police officials, including a woman inspector, guilty of using 'excessive force unwarrantedly'.

The probe conducted by DIG police of Meerut, Shri Raj Kumar Vishwakarma found woman Inspector Madhu Malti, Sub-Inspector Mamta Gautum and Railway Road Police Station Inspector Vishnu Chandra Gautum guilty of using excessive force against the victims during 'Operation Majnu' on December 19, 2005, Senior Superintendent of Police Rajiv Ranjan said.

He said the concerned officials had been served notices to explain within 15 days why action should not be taken against them for their role in the incident.

A separate inquiry by the state women's commission also held the officials guilty in its findings.

On December 19, some young couples were caught on camera being beaten up and shoved around by policewomen in a public park in Meerut, which triggered a nationwide outcry about moral policing following which the Uttar Pradesh government had ordered a DIG level probe in to the whole affair besides a separate inquiry at the administrative level.