Delhi Police thrashes tempo driver, minor son; 3 cops suspended
What's the story
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.
Details
Clash erupted after a road accident involving Singh, the police
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.
Twitter Post
AAP Social Media and IT strategist Ankit Lal tweeted video
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
Twitter Post
In another video, cops seen thrashing Singh's minor son
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
Quote
'The tempo was driven dangerously,' a police statement reads
"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.
Quote
Beaten up inside the police station as well: Driver's son
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."
Reaction
Highly condemnable and unjustified, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
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."
Twitter Post
Delhi CM's tweet about the Sunday evening clash
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.
Uproar
Sikhs held a protest at Mukherjee Nagar police station
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.
Twitter Post
Video footage from Sunday night protests at Mukherjee Nagar
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
Action
Three policemen suspended; Tempo driver also booked
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.
Twitter Post
Sirsa tweeted about the police officers' suspension
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