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Screenshots from the video show a grandmother and son being beaten by police. (Image source: X/@HansrajMeena)
The incident occurred in October 2023, when the woman and the minor were summoned to the police station
Five policemen were suspended on Thursday after Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel in Madhya Pradesh's Katni district allegedly assaulted a woman and her grandson, a senior official said.
The action came a day after the State Assembly shared a video that allegedly showed a female GRP official beating the woman and her young grandson with a stick. Opposition parties also claimed that the victims belonged to the Dalit community.
Police said the incident occurred in October 2023 when the woman and the minor were summoned to the police station for questioning on suspicion of absconding criminals.
Earlier on Thursday, the female officer in charge of the police station was “left behind” or suspended.
“Four more policemen, including a head constable, have been brought to justice… There is a person named Deepak Vanshkar, who has 19 cases registered and is absconding. He was also expelled from the area last year. In October, his family was summoned to the police station for questioning in this regard alone.
“The questioning video went viral. A case was also registered against Katni against the woman and a minor. All police personnel visible in the video have been tied up with ropes,” SP Prasad added.
In addition to the woman in charge of the police station, a police sergeant and three constables were also transferred.
SP Prasad further said that an investigation is underway as to why the woman and her grandson were treated in this way and how the official video of the incident became public.
Sources said Deputy Inspector General of Railways Monica Shukla arrived in Katni on Thursday to conduct investigations.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari and media wing president and former minister Mukesh Nayak will also go to Katni to meet the victims, a party leader said .
A police officer said security had been stepped up in the town in view of the Congress leader's visit.
Footage shared by the State House on Later, some other uniformed officers were seen joining her and beating the two men.
“Chief Minister Mohan Yadavji, can you tell us what is happening in Madhya Pradesh? In the guise of maintaining law and order, your police station goes rogue and takes lives of people by any means necessary.
“The in-charge of the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Katni beat up the 15-year-old boy from a Dalit family and his grandmother in a heart-wrenching cruelty. Where did they get such courage? Is it because of your negligence? ? Do you allow them to engage in this behavior? Congress called the incident “disgraceful.”
(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)
