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A disturbing incident of police brutality in Madhya Pradesh, India, has led to the suspension of six police personnel, including an inspector, after a video of the incident went viral on social media. The video, which was shared by Congress state president Jitendra Patwari, depicts the horrifying scene of an inspector, Aruna Vahane, from the Government Railway Police (GRP) post in Katni, beating an elderly woman with a wooden stick, while other officers brutalize a minor boy with batons. The incident, which occurred in October 2023, was brought to light after the video surfaced online.
According to the police, the 15-year-old boy, Deepraj, was apprehended for theft, while his grandmother, Kusum Vanskar, was booked under the Excise Act in Uttar Pradesh. They were detained for questioning about a notorious criminal, Deepak Vanshkar, who is the boy's father and had a reward of Rs. 10,000 on his head in a theft case. The police justified their actions by claiming the boy and his grandmother were being interrogated in connection with the criminal.
The viral video sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav took immediate action, ordering an inquiry into the matter and directing the police to prevent such incidents from recurring. Patwari, however, accused the government of condoning police brutality and alleged that the Dalit family was targeted because of their caste. He further claimed that the police had been using excessive force and acting with impunity, citing this incident as a prime example. The suspensions, while a necessary step, highlight the deeply rooted issues of police misconduct and lack of accountability in the region.
Source: MP: GRP police thrash minor boy, grandmother; 6 suspended after video goes viral