US ex-cop who beat Patel faces federal charges
Washington, March 28: A US police officer, accused of using excessive force against Sureshbhai Patel, 57, leaving him partially paralysed, has been indicted on federal civil rights violation charges that carries imprisonment up to 10 years.
“A federal grand jury indicted Eric Parker, the police officer who threw Mr Patel to the ground, resulting in him getting partially paralyzed, for deprivation of rights under color of law,” said Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta and US Attorney in the Northern District of Alabama Joyce Vance in a two-page indictment.
Mr Parker’s actions deprived the victim of his right under the US Constitution to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures, which includes the right to be free from unreasonable force by someone acting under color of law, the indictment said.
“Police officers are sworn to uphold the law and protect the public. The public must be able to trust the police. Law enforcement officers who violate their oath to protect and use excessive force must be brought to justice,” Vance said.
Mr Patel was brutally assaulted by Parker, who was in the company of two other police officers, on February 6 while he was on a walk in his neighborhood. He had arrived from India only a few days back to help his son and daughter in law with their is newly born baby.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley had apologised to the Indian government for the incident, calling it a case of excessive use of force. Mr Patel’s attorney Hank Sherrod said Mr Patel and his family were very pleased by the “prompt and decisive action”.