KKN Gurugram Desk | In a shocking incident that has raised serious concerns about police conduct in Jammu and Kashmir, a video showing a theft accused being paraded on a police jeep’s bonnet is going viral on social media. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning outside a government hospital in Jammu, where police allegedly mistreated a man suspected of theft, prompting a departmental inquiry from senior police officials.

The Incident: A Theft Gone Wrong

The accused, identified as Ishraq Ahmed from the Baramulla district’s Uri tehsil, was apprehended by the police outside a hospital after allegedly attempting to rob a patient’s attendant. According to the police, the crowd that had gathered at the scene caught hold of Ahmed before the officers arrived. The situation escalated quickly as the enraged mob began assaulting the accused.

When the police arrived at the scene, they found Ahmed already in the hands of the crowd, who were reportedly beating him. To prevent further violence, the police took Ahmed into their custody. However, what followed has sparked outrage across social media platforms.

The Alleged Mistreatment by Police

The viral video reveals that the police officers allegedly treated the accused in a highly unprofessional manner. Ahmed is seen sitting on the bonnet of a police jeep, shirtless, with a garland of slippers around his neck and his hands tied behind his back with ropes. The officers, instead of securing the accused in a traditional manner, allowed the crowd to humiliate him before taking him into their custody. The video has raised serious questions about police brutality and their methods of handling suspects in custody.

Jammu’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Joginder Singh has ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident. In his statement, Singh confirmed that the actions depicted in the video were highly inappropriate, unprofessional, and contrary to the standards expected from members of a disciplined organization. He added that such actions warrant strict departmental action.

Police Deny Involvement in the Public Display

In response to the video and public outcry, Inspector Azad Manhas, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Bakshi Nagar, denied any role of the police in parading the accused in such a manner. The Inspector explained that the accused had been caught by the public after attempting to steal from a patient’s attendant outside the hospital. Manhas clarified that when the police arrived at the scene, a large crowd had already surrounded Ahmed and was assaulting him.

According to the Inspector, the police intervened to save the accused from further harm. He stated, “We rescued him from the crowd and placed him in the police jeep to take him to the station. However, the crowd, which was much larger than the police force, pulled him out of the vehicle.”

Police Action and the Public’s Role

Inspector Manhas further explained that once the crowd had subdued the accused, they forced him to sit on the bonnet of the police jeep without a shirt, placed slippers around his neck, and tied his hands with ropes. He added that the police had waited for the situation to calm down before safely transporting Ahmed to the police station. Despite the police officers’ intervention, the mob continued to humiliate the accused, and the police were seemingly unable to control the situation at that moment.

The incident has raised a significant debate about the role of the police in maintaining law and order, especially when handling situations involving a mob. While the police claim they tried to intervene and protect the accused, the fact that they allowed the crowd to continue mistreating him has led to public outcry and criticism of their actions.

The Growing Concern Over Police Brutality

This incident is not the first to raise concerns about police conduct in Jammu and Kashmir. Several reports of police misconduct and excessive force have surfaced over the years, particularly when dealing with suspects and accused individuals. The viral video has only intensified the calls for accountability and reform in the Jammu and Kashmir police force.

Human rights organizations and activists have condemned the actions shown in the video, calling for strict action against the officers involved in the mistreatment. Experts argue that such incidents tarnish the reputation of the police force and undermine public trust in law enforcement agencies.

The Departmental Investigation

Following the controversy surrounding the video, SSP Joginder Singh ordered a departmental investigation into the actions of the police officers involved. He emphasized that the behavior shown in the video was not representative of the police force’s standards and promised that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against those responsible.

The investigation will look into the conduct of the police officers and whether they acted according to protocol. The SSP has also directed the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of the area to submit a detailed report within a week. The outcome of the investigation will determine the necessary action to be taken against those who were involved in the incident.

Public Opinion and Social Media Reaction

As the video continues to circulate on social media, public opinion remains divided. While some people sympathize with the police for trying to protect the accused from a mob, others argue that the officers should have handled the situation differently, without allowing the mob to humiliate the accused.

The incident has sparked intense discussions on social media platforms, with many demanding reforms in the way law enforcement agencies operate in the region. Human rights activists have expressed concern over the increasing cases of police brutality and the lack of accountability for officers who engage in such practices.

The incident involving the mistreatment of a theft suspect in Jammu has raised serious questions about the conduct of law enforcement in the region. While the police did manage to save the accused from the crowd, their handling of the situation, particularly allowing the mob to humiliate the suspect, has sparked outrage. The ongoing departmental investigation will likely shed light on the actions of the officers involved and determine the necessary course of action.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and dignity, even when dealing with criminals. It also underscores the need for greater accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies to restore public trust and ensure that justice is served fairly for all.