Clip of police officer assaulting women with kids inside station goes viral

A disturbing video that has emerged on social media shows two women with babies in their arms being beaten up by a Madhya Pradesh police officer inside a police station. The police are seen beating a woman with a lathi  (stick) in the video.

According to NDTV reports, the attack is believed to have taken place inside the Gwalior Railway Police station. In the video, three women are seen holding on to their children and squatting on the floor. As soon as the police officer gestures them to get up, they start crawling, crying and pleading.

Media reports further state that in the video, the officer is seen striking one woman repeatedly with his lathi before grabbing her by hair, forcing her to stand up and then hitting her on her back before gesturing to something on the floor, all the while the woman is clutching on to her baby and is seen crying. Meanwhile, three other police officers are also seen standing in the video. This incident has also been reported by local news channel IBC 24.  

Coming out exclusively over this incident, The Quint, on speaking to Gwalior correspondent Mahendra Singh, said that the women in the video were identified by the police as beggars who frequent the city railway station. The reason behind their detention is yet to be ascertained. Further quoting the station's sub-inspector Ajit Chauhan, Singh said that the video was presumed to be at least two years old.

"The Sub Inspector is currently investigating the matter. The constable in the video has been identified as Subhash, who continues to serve in the station and is currently out on election duty. Once he returns, he will be questioned on the matter," Singh said to Quint.

However, The Quint also got in touch with Gwalior City Superintendent of police (CSP) DBS Bhadoria, who also confirmed that the incident happened two years ago. While speaking on the delay in action, he said “The video was brought to our notice only yesterday after it was shared by a journalist. Preliminary investigation by Sub Inspector Chauhan has shown that it is from around two years ago. We do not deny the fact that the constable’s actions were wrong and uncalled for. Appropriate action will be taken against him."