BREAKING | Kheda Flogging Of Muslim Men: Gujarat HC Finds 4 Cops Guilty Of Contempt, Orders 14-Day Jail Term; Order Stayed For 3 Months
The Gujarat High Court today found 4 Gujarat Police officers GUILTY of committing Contempt of Court (for violating Apex Court's DK Basu Guidelines) and sentenced them to undergo simple imprisonment of 14 days for publicly flogging Muslim men in the Kheda district in October last year. However, the order of sentence has been stayed for three months following a request from the counsel of...
The Gujarat High Court today found 4 Gujarat Police officers GUILTY of committing Contempt of Court (for violating Apex Court's DK Basu Guidelines) and sentenced them to undergo simple imprisonment of 14 days for publicly flogging Muslim men in the Kheda district in October last year.
However, the order of sentence has been stayed for three months following a request from the counsel of the accused to file an appeal against the order
A bench of Justice AS Supehia and Justice Gita Gopi also remarked that the Court was not happy that this day had come when it was passing such orders asking the officers to undergo Simple Imprisonment. The Court has also imposed a fine of Rs. 2000 each on the police officers, failing which they will have to undergo a further 3-day imprisonment.
#BREAKING | Kheda Flogging Of Muslim Men : #GujaratHighCourt finds 4 Gujarat Police officers GUILTY of committing Contempt of Court (for violating Apex Court's DK Basu Guidelines) and SENTENCES them to undergo Simple Imprisonment of 14 days.Fine of Rs. 2000 also imposed. pic.twitter.com/hK2uYDDo2m— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) October 19, 2023
Earlier, on October 4, the High Court passed an order of framing contempt charges against a Local Crime Branch Inspector (AV. Parmar), Sub-Inspector (D.B. Kumavat), Head Constable (Kanaksingh Laxman Singh) and a Constable (Raju Rameshbhai Dabhi). Thereafter, on October 16, the Victims refused to accept monetary compensation from the four policemen.
Earlier, in July this year, the HC had directed the Nadiad CJM to analyse the pen drives and other electronic evidence including videos relating to the incident.
The direction was issued in a plea moved by 5 members of an affected family seeking contempt action against accused Police officers. In the contempt plea, it was alleged that the five victims were beaten up by policemen from the Matar Police Station in the Kheda district last year and hence, they had violated Apex Court’s guidelines against custodial torture issued in the case of DK Basu vs. State of West Bengal.
The Police action was allegedly in the aftermath of the communal clash in Undhela village situated in Matar Taluka of Kheda district. It was alleged that some intruders pelted stones at the crowd during Navratri celebrations. At least 40 persons were arrested in the incident.
In a previous hearing, the High Court had asked the state government as to whether any law permitted that ‘an accused can be tied up to a pole and beaten up in full public view?’
In January this year, the Gujarat Government submitted before the High Court that it had found 5 policemen, including a police inspector, prima facie guilty in connection with the case of flogging.
Senior Advocate IH Syed appeared for the petitioners. Senior Advocate Prakash Jani appeared for the police officers.