A woman police sub-inspector in Ahmedabad has been suspended following allegations of assault against a 57-year-old visually impaired man, Gopalbhai Darji. The incident, which occurred on June 1, resulted in Gopalbhai filing a First Information Report (FIR) against the officer after he reportedly endured physical abuse inside a police station.

The altercation began over a dispute involving a child who allegedly attempted to steal a packet of wafers from Gopalbhai’s roadside shop. The visually impaired shopkeeper, realising that a theft was in progress, detained the child after hearing the packet open. This led to minor injuries for the boy, prompting his father to confront Gopalbhai while invoking the name of sub-inspector Sonal Rathod.

This confrontation reportedly prompted authorities to take Gopalbhai to the Gujarat University Police Station for questioning, where the situation escalated dramatically.

Allegations of Assault and Response

According to Gopalbhai, after being held at the police station for several hours, Sub-Inspector Rathod arrived and began verbally abusing him. He alleged that she then physically assaulted him, delivering multiple kicks and punches. The assault allegedly extended to the use of a stick even after he had fallen to the ground, resulting in visible injuries, including a bruised eye.

Assistant Commissioner of Police HM Kansagra reported that other officers at the station attempted to intervene during the assault, but their efforts were ineffective. Following the assault, Gopalbhai sought medical assistance to address his injuries and later made his experience public, raising significant concern and outrage on social media platforms.

The growing demands for accountability prompted Rathod to visit Gopalbhai’s home in an attempt to apologise and resolve the matter amicably. However, Gopalbhai declined her offer and opted to pursue legal recourse.

Official Actions and Investigations Initiated

In the aftermath of the allegations, ACP Kansagra confirmed that an FIR against Rathod had been registered at Gujarat University Police Station, based on Gopalbhai’s complaint. The police officer is also set to face action under provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

Additionally, reports indicate that Rathod left her post at Changodar Police Station without notifying her superiors and travelled to Gujarat University Police Station, where the alleged assault on Gopalbhai took place. This irregularity has raised questions about her conduct as a law enforcement officer.

Following the incident, Inspector SR Bawa of Gujarat University Police Station was noted to have directed Rathod to adhere to legal procedures, rather than taking matters into her own hands. Once intervention measures proved unsuccessful, Inspector Bawa sought formal action against Rathod from the Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police. Four days after the incident, the police officer was suspended, and departmental proceedings against her were initiated.

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