Tribal Woman Allegedly Assaulted By Police Officers: Telangana High Court Calls For Thorough Enquiry, CCTV Footage

The Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the concerned officers of the Ranga Reddy District to conduct an enquiry and produce CCTV footage regarding the accusation of a tribal woman being subjected to severe and forceful physical assault by the police authorities.

The Division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice T. Vinod Kumar further directed the Government Pleader to produce diary entries of the incident from the appropriate Police Station.

“Respondents shall conduct an enquiry with regard to the aforesaid incident and shall submit an action taken report on or before the next date of hearing. In addition, they shall also produce the CCTV footage of the area as well as the Police Station, from where the aforesaid woman was picked.”

The Bench registered a suo motu case against the State Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Director General, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Station House Officer after receiving communication regarding an attack on a tribal woman.

The incident reportedly occurred on August 15, when the woman was allegedly subjected to physical assault by the police authorities. The incident took place between L.B. Nagar Chowrasta and L.B. Nagar Police Station, where the woman was hit, dragged, and forcibly taken. It was also communicated that she was currently undergoing treatment at Jeevan Hospital in Karimnagar.

The Court highlighted the need to uphold the dignity of women and condemned such actions in a society governed by the rule of law.

“In a society governed by rule of law, dignity of woman at all times is required to be maintained. Such a highhanded action, to which a reference has been made in the communication, cannot be sustained.”

The Court was also informed that the victim had filed a separate writ petition related to the incident. The Single Judge granted her the liberty to refer the matter to a Division Bench.

The respondents were thus directed to conduct a thorough enquiry into the incident and submit an action taken report before the next hearing on September 5.

Counsel for State: K. Sadanand, Assistant Government Pleader for General Administration.

Counsel for Home: M. Roopender.

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