Traffic cop does the unthinkable, assaults handicapped woman

Praveen Kumar  NT

Bengaluru: A physically challenged woman, who was charging a parking fee from those parking their vehicles on B Usman Khan Road, had a run-in with the police a few days ago over a parking row. A video of the incident has gone viral.

The incident happened in front of The Mysore Sugar Co building near the BBMPs head office on January 24, between 6.45 pm and 6.50 pm when the traffic police arrived with a towing vehicle at the spot as it was a ‘no parking’ zone.

While the traffic police were towing away the vehicles, she began hurling stones at the towing vehicle out of frustration. However, one such stone hit close to the eye of ASI R. Narayana (59), attached to the Halasuru Gate traffic police station, and he started bleeding. The officer got out of the vehicle, kicked the woman and filed a complaint against her at the SJ Park police station.

The woman, identified as Manjula, has been collecting fees from the motorists for parking their vehicles at the spot and had similar altercations with the traffic police towing teams in the past. She lives in the vicinity and is in her late twenties.

“Narayana was in charge of the towing vehicle and stopped it at the place of the incident. The woman verbally abused the policemen and hurled stones at the towing vehicle. One stone hit under the left eye of the traffic officer. After catching hold of her, the ASI called the Hoysala patrolling police. After she was picked, few locals requested the ASI to pardon her. But as this was not her first time, Narayana went ahead and filed the complaint,” said a police officer.

In the video the ASI is seen grabbing the woman by her hair and kicking her. The woman is also seen abusing him, challenging him to arrest her. However, many of those who have watched the video have strongly criticised the ASI’s assault and the use of foul language. Narayana told NT that he would have lost his eyes due to the woman’s violent behaviour. “I was in severe pain and the woman kept abusing me. I do not know what I did exactly in the heat of the moment. The woman kept on throwing stones at the towing vehicles and we kept on condoning her behaviour. This time she crossed the limit.”

Following ASI’s complaint, the SJ Park police have arrested her. A case of causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty (IPC 332) and assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty (IPC 353) has been registered against her.

Probe ordered: Condemning the brutal behaviour of the police officer, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated that assaults on hapless women by police officers will not be tolerated. He said, “No one has the right to take the law into their hands and police officials are no exception.” He has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident.

Officer suspended: Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) BR Ravikanthe Gowda on Saturday said that ASI R. Narayana has been suspended and an inquiry has been initiated to probe the allegation against him.