MHA seeks report after video of Delhi police cops thrashing auto rickshaw driver went viral

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a report from Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik after the video of Delhi police personnel thrashing an auto-rickshaw driver and his son outside Mukherjee Nagar police station went viral.

Reacting to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “Delhi Police brutality in Mukherjee Nagar is highly condemnable and unjustified.” “I demand an impartial probe into the whole incident & strict action against the guilty.” He also said that “Protectors of citizens can’t be allowed to turn into uncontrolled violent mobsters.”

 The Delhi police has also released a statement:

Delhi Police has registered cross cases in regard to yesterday’s incident that took place in the area of PS Mukherjee Nagar. Based on the statement of the policeman who sustained injuries while on duty, an FIR has been registered against Grameen Seva driver Sarbjeet Singh for the assault by use of sword, and the other case has been registered on the complaint of Sarbjeet Singh for certain alleged excesses committed subsequently which can also be seen in a video. Both the cases have been registered as per the complaints under provisions of law dealing with assault and use of force. For independent investigation, the cases have been transferred to the Crime Branch.

Sh. Manish Kumar Agrawal, Jt. CP/Northern Range is separately conducting a detailed fact-finding enquiry into the matter. On the basis of his preliminary findings, three police personnel, including 2 ASIs have already been placed under suspension for their unprofessional conduct in handling the situation.  Further necessary action, as warranted, will be taken on the basis of the findings of the enquiry.

It is reiterated that Delhi Police follows a policy of zero tolerance towards any unprofessional conduct or any unnecessary excess even while performing official duties or handling a crowd control situation.

New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma said that the police have registered a cross FIR and both cases have been handed over to the crime branch, according to ANI. “The conduct subsequent to the assault should’ve been more professional, only because of that, three police personnel have been suspended,” Verma said.