Delhi Police thrashes tempo driver, minor son; 3 cops suspended
A violent clash broke out between Delhi Police officers and Gramin Seva driver in Mukherjee Nagar area on Sunday. In visuals of the incident, which went viral on social media, the police can be seen brutally assaulting the tempo driver and his minor son. The driver, identified as Sarabjeet Singh, also retaliated and attacked the policemen with a sword. Here's all that happened.
On Sunday, Singh's Gramin Seva tempo brushed past a police Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), Vijayanta Arya, DCP (North West) told The Hindu. An argument followed between Singh and an ASI which turned violent. A video shows a policeman dragging Singh's son from the tempo while another hits him with a lathi. Policemen also struck lathis at Singh, who attacked cops with a sword.
Today afternoon while we were watching #INDvPAK, this is what @DelhiPolice personnel were doing in Mukherjee Nagar to a Gramin Seva driver and helper.
— Ankit Lal (@AnkitLal) June 16, 2019
Have another video from another angle, will tweet our after this.
Warning - Strong language
1/n pic.twitter.com/GZeC1ZLIZa
Video 2 of the same incident from another angle.
— Ankit Lal (@AnkitLal) June 16, 2019
Both the people are still in police custody. AAP MLA @JarnailSinghAAP is at Mukherjee Nagar police station trying to help the victims of this abuse by @DelhiPolice personnel.
Warning - Strong Language
2/n pic.twitter.com/i0c9wsfSKz
"The alleged incident was followed by an accident caused by a Gramin Sewa tempo to a police vehicle. Thereafter, a police officer was also assaulted on the head by the tempo driver with a sword," a police statement read. "The tempo was driven dangerously and caused injuries to a policeman in the leg," the statement read, adding that an inquiry is being conducted.
Speaking to The Indian Express, the driver's son revealed further details of police brutality, saying, "We were beaten up inside the police station as well." He added, "They dragged my father up the stairs and beat him up. They also hit me."
Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal deemed the incident "highly condemnable and unjustified" and demanded an impartial probe into the matter. "Protectors of citizens can't be allowed to turn into uncontrolled violent mobsters," he tweeted. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the police "acted like organized goons or lynch men." AAP MLA Jagdeep Singh said Delhi Police doesn't have "constitutional rights to behave like this."
Delhi Police brutality in Mukherjee Nagar is highly condemnanble and unjustified.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 17, 2019
I demand an impartial probe into the whole incident strict action against the guilty.
Protectors of citizens can't be allowed to turn into uncontrolled violent mobsters.
As videos filmed by several onlookers went viral, Sikhs came out on the streets, gathering outside the Mukherjee Nagar police station, to protest against the incident. Former Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee president Manjit Singh condemned the incident, while BJP MLA from Rajouri Garden, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, claimed the police insulted the driver's turban. Sirsa, a Shiromani Akali Dal member, also joined the protests.
Protests in Delhi after sikh man beaten up by police in Mukherji Nagar area. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/A15JidPyIT
— Arshdeep (@arsh_kaur7) June 16, 2019
Three policemen- identified as Assistant Sub-inspectors Sanjay Malik and Devendra and Constable Pushpendra- were suspended with immediate effect on Sunday in connection with the incident. The driver has also been booked under sections of the penal code pertaining to attempt to murder and attacking a public servant on duty, The Hindu reported. A probe investigating the role of policemen is also underway.
We have got three police officials suspended for their inhumane behaviour. Rest of them will also meet the same fate. Thanking all who came to protest with us.
— Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) June 16, 2019
I have been told @AmitShah Ji has himself ensured action in this regard. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/1VIgxPWVW4
