In a horrific incident of police brutality, a head constable of Delhi Police on Monday hit a woman with a brick in posh central Delhi locality after an altercation following which he was arrested and dismissed from service as the incident triggered widespread outrage.
Traffic policeman Satish Chandra was arrested and a criminal case was filed against him after a video clip of his attacking a young woman with two children at Golf Links area went viral. Later, he was dismissed from the service.
The victim, who was riding a two-wheeler, alleged that Chandra demanded a bribe of Rs 200 accusing her of violating traffic rules and when she refused he abused her and then hit her with a brick in front of her two minor children.
The video clip showed the woman picking up a brick and hurling it at the policeman's bike while the constable was seen attacking her back with another brick. After the medical check up, the woman said her left hand has sustained fracture in the attack.
As the incident, which took place around 10:30 am, evoked sharp reactions including from political parties and women activists, Special CP (Traffic) Muktesh Chander announced in the evening that the erring policeman has been dismissed from service with immediate effect.
The victim alleged that the policeman accused her of violating traffic norms and started abusing her after she refused to pay Rs 200 as bribe, insisting that a receipt of the fine he was demanding be issued.
Giving a run down of the incident, the woman said she was coming from a parent-teacher meeting in her daughter's school.
"The policeman asked me for my registration papers and licence and demanded Rs 200 for jumping the red light. I insisted that a receipt be issued to me but the cop refused.
When I protested he attacked me with a brick," said the woman. She was taken to a hospital for treatment of the injuries.
After recording her statement at Tuglak Road Police Station, the woman appealed to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to ensure justice to her. "Harshest punishment should be given to the cop."
Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi expressed regret over the incident, saying "On behalf of myself and Delhi Police, I want to express my regret. I have ordered that a criminal case be registered against the constable. We will investigate the matter." The erring policeman was first suspended but later he was dismissed from service.
The Delhi government, which has been on the loggerheads with police, has strongly condemned the incident, saying it exposed the force's mindset.
"This cop has committed several criminal offences in a single act -- assault with a blunt object, misuse of official position and he should also be immediately booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act," Delhi Home Minister Satyender Jain said in a statement.
The daughter of the victim said she had called up the police control room to lodge a complaint about the incident.
"Uncle (the policeman) kept asking for 200 rupees while my mother insisted on issuance of a receipt. When she tried to drive, uncle took away the key of the bike and threw a brick at the scooty. My mother too picked up the stone and hit his bike. Then he abused her using foul language and twisted her arm. Then he hit her with a brick," the girl said.
Delhi Home Minister Jain said "The barbaric face of Delhi Police which has been exposed by this act raises very serious questions about the conduct of its personnel in the national capital."
He said police must make public all the sections under which the FIR has been registered against him.
"Delhi Police should also ensure proper behaviour of all its personnel, particularly those on duty of direct public dealing. Police has failed to put a stop on corruption, but they should at least ensure that their personnel are not unruly. They should not behave like collection agents," he said.
Delhi Congress condemned the incident and demanded strict action against the policeman.
"This is absolutely ghastly. The traffic police, which is supposed to maintain the law and order on roads is attacking a woman so violently with a brick. We strongly condemn it and demand that the government does a probe and take strong action against the person," Delhi Congress Spokesperson Sharmishtha Mukherjee said.
Delhi Commission for Women Chief Barkha Singh also came down hard on Delhi Police and sought exemplary punishment to the traffic policeman.
Former IPS official Kiran Bedi said the erring policeman must be given compulsory retirement as such people cannot be relied upon.
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