Punjab Police is renowned all over as a brave force. The men and women of this state police have handled crises like terrorism and beat it.
In both the waves of COVID, the men and women of the force did not shy from their duties in face of the pandemic and even distributed free meals to needy.
However, in the last one week cops of Punjab Police have committed such acts that bring shame not only to the force or the state, but humanity as well.
These acts are alleged rape of a woman, slapping a businessman, kicking basket of vegetable seller, misbehaving with public, and stealing eggs.
1. ASI caught red-handed raping a woman in Bathinda, video goes viral
In a shameful incident, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), posted with the CIA-1 wing of the Bathinda police, was caught red-handed while allegedly raping a woman in her house in Bathinda. The villagers who came to the rescue of the woman, recorded the incident on their mobile cameras.
In the video, ASI, Gurwinder Singh, is seen in a compromising position while pleading the villagers to stop the camera.
The incident took place at woman’s house in Bucho town in Bathinda. The woman alleged that the ASI in question had sought sexual favours and had repeatedly raped her after implicating her son in an NDPS case.
The woman in her complaint to the police said that ASI Gurwinder Singh has registered a false case against her 20-year-old son under the NDPC Act. She said the policeman deliberately lodged a case against his son in order to pressurize her into a physical relationship with him.
The man was imprisoned.
Later on, the man attempted suicide late night in jail by inflicting self-injury using sharp object to his neck and hands.
He was unsuccessful and the authorities immediately got him admitted to Civil Hospital for treatment in addition to a medical checkup.
2. Punjab Police’s atrocities in broad daylight, businessman slapped
A Punjab Police officer in Amritsar allegedly slapped a man for violating curfew norms, the CCTV footage of which has gone viral on the social media.
With this another video followed, showing the man who was slapped, Raghav, narrating his story. Raghav, a local businessman from Pratap Bazaar near Guru Bazaar, has said that the incident took place today while he was working in his shop during the restricted hours.
He said that he was working on GST returns as the next day is deadline without penalty for the returns filing, therefore, he was forced to work during the curfew hours. “The unruly behavior of the Punjab Police is really not acceptable as they need to understand the problems of the small businessmen”, he said adding that he has been promised of swift and just action and thus he is not pressing any charges.
DGP Dinkar Gupta said such misconduct will not be tolerated at any cost.
Afraid of stern action, Inspector Parkash Singh has issued an apology for misbehaving with a businessman in Punjab’s Amritsar.
Earlier in the day, a Punjab Police officer allegedly slapped a man for violating curfew norms after which the video of the incident did round on the internet.
It may be noted here that after few hours, the ruckus came to an end followed by the various meetings of officials with Market Associations to open 50% shops on a rotational basis in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases. In the meeting, it was decided that on one day one side of the shops would open and on the next day the other side of the shops would open.
3. Punjab Cop harasses roadside vendor, kicks down his vegetable basket
In yet another hideous incident, a video of a cop in Punjab has gone viral on social media. In the viral video, the cop is seen misbehaving with a vegetable vendor. Identified as SHO Navdeep Singh, was caught on camera kicking the vegetable basket. The incident took place in Phagwara, Punjab.
The incident occurred after the Punjab government announces semi-lockdown in the state. The cop was seen assaulting vendors amid lockdown.
Soon after the video went viral on social media, people started criticizing the Punjab police. Lashing out at the cop, netizens accused police of harassing only poor people. One of the users said that it’s better for the government to impose a complete lockdown instead of harassing the poor.
DGP Dinkar Gupta responded, “Absolutely shameful and unacceptable. I have suspended SHO Phagwara. Such misbehaviour will not be tolerated at any cost and those who indulge in it will have to face serious consequences.”
4. Punjab cop allegedly drunk on duty misbehaves with public
An ASI was caught on camera behaving rudely with the public and one of the people claimed that he was also drunk on duty.
The department responded on the video going viral, “We have no place for such cops in the Punjab Police. ASI Raj Kumar has been suspended and demoted to Head Constable as punishment for his misbehaviour in Batala city. Further consequences will follow after enquiry.”
5. Police constable steals eggs, gets suspended
The police constable was caught stealing eggs. The incident is from Jyoti Swarup road in Fatehgarh Sahib, the police constable stole four eggs from the egg cart parked at the roadside.
He then took an auto-rickshaw and escaped but he was
captured by the camera and the video went viral on social media.
The egg cart belongs to a person named Chhindar. According to the information received, when Chhindar returned to his egg cart parked at the roadside four eggs were missing from the tray. A person standing near captured the police constable’s action on the camera and told the egg supplier about the incident.
DGP Dinkar Gupta’s prompt disciplinary action against each of these cops commensurate with their actions is commendable, and it is hoped that these will reinforce the sense of duty and pride that is inherent to Punjab Police.