A farmer from Takali Haji has accused a police sub-inspector of assault, abusive behaviour, threatening him and taking away his mobile phone during an inquiry at the Takali Haji police outpost in Pune district. The Shirur police have said that an investigation into the complaint is under way.
The complaint was submitted by Raosaheb Sukhdev Ghode, 34, a farmer from Takali Haji, to the sub-divisional police officer. Ghode has sought an inquiry by senior police officials and action against those responsible.
According to the complaint, Ghode had a dispute with members of his cousin’s family over agricultural land on 31 October. Both sides submitted complaints at the police outpost, after which the dispute was settled through mediation. Ghode said he was later called to the outpost for questioning on 5 November by constable Wायाळ.
Ghode has alleged that after he reached the outpost, Sub-Inspector Govind Khating intimidated him and assaulted him during questioning. He further claimed that the officer was not wearing a uniform and did not initially identify himself. The complaint also alleges that Khating used abusive language, took away Ghode’s mobile phone and threatened to kill him.
The complaint names Ghode’s brother-in-law Amit Meche and Sub-Inspector Rahul Bhagwat as being present at the outpost during the incident. Ghode has also alleged that his family members were treated disrespectfully after they arrived at the police outpost.
The complaint has raised questions about Khating’s authority to conduct the inquiry. Ghode said the sub-inspector had reportedly been transferred to another location before the alleged incident. He has asked officials to examine the transfer order, the date on which Khating was relieved, the handover of charge and whether Khating was authorised to conduct the inquiry on 5 November when the investigation was assigned to constable Wायाळ.
The Takali Haji outpost, which comes under the Shirur police station, had also attracted attention in connection with a bribery case a few days earlier, according to the report. The latest complaint has therefore placed renewed focus on the conduct of police personnel and the mechanisms available to citizens seeking redress at local police facilities.
Shirur Police Inspector Vinod Patil said that the matter was being investigated. The supplied report does not state whether a formal case has been registered against the sub-inspector or whether any departmental action has been initiated. The findings of the inquiry and the authorities’ decision on the allegations are awaited.
