Guj: Policeman held for assaulting bank staff

SURAT/NEW DELHI: A police constable was suspended and arrested for allegedly thrashing a bank employee in Gujarat's Surat district, after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sought prompt action in the matter.

Bank officials said police constable Ghanshyam Shyora entered the Canara Bank's Saroli branch on Monday in plain clothes and asked female employee Santoshi Kumari to print his passbook. When told the printer wasn't working, he abused her and began slapping and pushing her. The video of the attack went viral on social media. "My office is being informed that the Commissioner of Police visited @ canarabanks Saroli branch and assured staff of full cooperation; the accused police constable is placed under suspension," Sitharaman tweeted on Wednesday. The minister said her office had spoken to the Surat Commissioner of Police R B Brahmbhatt who assured that the accused constable would be suspended immediately. Sitharaman said nothing should threaten the safety and dignity of bank employees. "Will be closely following this matter. Wish to assure that the safety of all members of staff in banks is of importance for us. Amid challenges, banks are extending all services to our people. Nothing should threaten their safety and dignity," the minister tweeted. Sitharaman said she also spoke to Surat district Collector Dhaval Patel on the incident and was assured of timely action.

Brahmbhatt said the constable has been suspended and placed under arrest. He also visited the bank's branch to get information about what happened on Monday.

A case was registered at Puna police station in Surat on Tuesday under Indian Penal Code Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), a police official said.

In the CCTV footage released by the bank, the police constable is seen entering the restricted area of cash counter and pushing Santoshi Kumari on the floor after grabbing her by the neck.