Video of assault on cop viral; alleges pressure for compromise

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, June 29

A video of a June 12 incident of Tanda, in which a policeman is seen being assaulted by four men, went viral on Friday, following which the head constable attacked has demanded that a case of attempt to murder be registered.

Earlier, the Tanda police had registered an FIR on the statement of head constable Rajinder Singh against four youths under Sections 353, 323, 186, 427, 506, and 34 of the IPC.

Rajinder alleged that the youths had attempted to kill him, but Section 307 had not been added to the FIR. He complained to higher officials, demanding that charges related to the desecration of turban and attempt to murder should be added. The police have now offered to add Section 307.

The policeman said that he was on duty when he learned that some youths were driving around in the market in a car at high speed, with loud music playing. He attempted to block their car by halting his motorcycle in front of their car, but the youths attempted to kill him by ramming their car into him, Rajinder alleged. 

“I somehow managed to save myself, and then stopped them near SBI Bank, Tanda,” he added. But this time they came out and started beating him “mercilessly”. They allegedly also hit him on the head with bricks, and his turban fell off and he was injured. His mobile was also broken.

Another head constable, Paramjit, who reached the spot, took Rajinder to hospital.

Two of the suspects were identified as Ajay and Raja, while the others could not be immediately identified.

On the victim’s complaint, an FIR was registered immediately at Tanda police station. But now he has alleged he was being pressured for a compromise, and the sections related to “attempt to murder” and insult to turban were not being added due to political pressure.

SSP Hoshiarpur J. Elanchezhian, however, told The Tribune that an FIR was registered immediately as per the statement of the victim. He denied there was any pressure, adding that if now Rajinder Singh alleged that there was an attempt to murder, or made any other charge, the relevant sections would be added to the FIR.

The SSP said no arrest had been made thus far, but the suspects would be arrested soon.