A head constable with the Ahmedabad Traffic Police has been suspended following a public altercation with a woman rider, an incident captured on video that sparked widespread outrage on social media.
The Incident That Sparked the Controversy
The confrontation occurred on Friday evening in the Paldi area of Ahmedabad. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-West) Bhavna Patel, the woman was stopped by Head Constable Jayantibhai for jumping a traffic signal and not wearing a helmet. The situation escalated when the woman asked for the constable's identification card.
"The woman asked for his ID card and then threw it on the ground. She then swore at the police personnel and in turn, the HC too raised his hand against her," DCP Patel stated during a press conference on Saturday. The officer admitted that the constable should not have resorted to physical action.
Conflicting Accounts and Ongoing Investigation
The sequence of events surrounding the ID card remains under scrutiny. When questioned whether the card was thrown or fell accidentally, DCP Patel confirmed that an investigation into the exact sequence is currently underway.
The woman rider presented a different version of events to reporters. She alleged that the constable first grabbed her hand during the argument. "When I questioned him about touching me, he slapped me hard on the face, causing minor bleeding," she said, according to a PTI report. She subsequently filed a complaint against the constable at the Paldi police station. However, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered based on her complaint so far.
Legal Action and Political Reactions
In a significant development, the woman has been booked under charges of obstructing a public servant from performing his duties. This FIR was filed at the 'N' Division traffic police station.
The viral video drew sharp reactions from political figures. Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani shared the clip and demanded stringent action. In a social media post, Mevani said, "...An FIR be immediately registered against this policeman, he be arrested without delay, and strict punishment be given!... This is not just an attack on one woman – this is an attack on the dignity of every daughter of Gujarat!"
Responding to the public pressure, the police department took disciplinary action. Head Constable Jayantibhai was suspended on Saturday, highlighting the department's stance against misconduct. The case continues to develop as investigations proceed on both sides of the complaint.
