Police Brutality Sparks Outrage: Two Cops Suspended Amid Allegations of Attack On Women
Gandhiji’s words that true freedom is when women can safely travel the streets at midnight, seemed to be a bitter joke with the Police on Independence Day.
In an unfortunate incident, a tribal woman suffered ill-treatment by the LB Nagar police while she was on her way home from her brother’s residence at night.
Rachakonda’s Police Commissioner, Devender Singh Chauhan, has suspended a head constable and a female constable from the LB Nagar police station.
In another case of alleged police brutality, it has been reported that the LB Nagar police unit assaulted a woman of the Lambada community within police station grounds, causing her serious bodily harm.
Officers from the night patrol squad arrested the victim, Vadthya Laxmi, a Meerpet resident, and took her to the police station.
Laxmi claims she was detained overnight and subject to physical abuse by the police. Prior to the incident, Laxmi had been visiting relatives in LB Nagar on Tuesday evening to discuss financial support for her daughter’s impending nuptials.
Following the meal, she left to catch an auto rickshaw for her return journey to Meerpet. She was approached and interrogated by the police at approximately 11 pm on Tuesday.
Laxmi recounts being forced into a police vehicle, taken to the station. Despite presenting evidence of her daughter’s upcoming marriage and explaining that she had been visiting family, Laxmi says the police confiscated her phone and verbally abused her.
It is alleged that she was exposed to severe physical abuse while in custody at the station.
Reportedly, a high-ranking police official, noticing her condition, intervened in the matter and assisted in her release from custody.
Parents Showcase Dissent And Stage Protest
The parents of the woman took to protest as they assert that they found evident signs of physical assault on her legs and toes.
They further allege that their daughter had been subjected to severe humiliation and physical attack at the police station.
Earlier in July 2023, Telangana High Court’s Division Bench expressed concern while processing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case in question-related to the supposed custodial death of Nitish Kumar which allegedly occurred at Gachibowli Police Station.
Police brutality is the misuse of power resulting in harm to the people. Officers are meant to protect not harm, which is a critical issue jeopardizing citizens’ trust and rights.
Although most officers are committed to upholding the law, instances of excessive force highlight the need for accountability and systemic reform within law enforcement.
Addressing this issue goes hand in hand with recognizing the daily challenges faced by officers, aiming to strike a balance between public safety and respect for individual rights.
