Brutality caught on camera, Ludhiana cop sacked, held

INQUIRY INITIATED AGAINST COPS WHO WERE SPECTATORS TO THRASHING OF A FACTORY OWNER

LUDHIANA: Hours after a head constable was caught on camera brutally beating up a factory owner with a baton till he was rendered unconscious, Ludhiana police commissioner RN Dhoke dismissed him with immediate effect.

Om Parkash, posted as ‘munshi’ at Basti Jodhewal police station was also booked and arrested under section 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and section 166 A (public servant disobeying law) of the IPC.

The incident occurred around midnight on Friday when a police party reached a sewing machine factory in Atal Nagar on receiving a complaint from a head constable Surinder Kumar.

Surinder, who is staying as a tenant on the factory premises, called up police after his sleep was disturbed by repeated knocking by factory owner Simarjot on the door of a labourers’ room nearby.

When a police party reached the factory compound, munshi Om Prakash, who was in civvies, started brutally thrashing Simarjot with a stick till he feel on the ground. The other cops stood mute spectators to the brutality.

The incident was filmed by a factory employee and the video was sent to Dhoke. “This is a perfect example of gunda gardi by police and such a behaviour by the force won’t be tolerated,” said Dhoke after ordering Om Prakash’s dismissal.

“It is not at all desirable to retain the head constable Om Parkash in service at the public expense. His retention and continuation in service will be harmful to the interest of the state as well as the general public,” read the order.