India has long grappled with issues of police misconduct, ranging from corruption to instances of brutality. Despite various reforms and public outrage, incidents continue to surface, exposing deep-rooted issues in the system. Below is a detailed look at recent cases, highlighting the need for immediate reforms.
Cases of Police Corruption
1. Gujarat: Bribery Scandal in Kheda District
Two police officers in Gujarat’s Kheda district were booked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for demanding a bribe of ₹3.75 lakh. The officers allegedly coerced a woman and her family, threatening to file cases against them under the Gujarat Money Lenders Act. This incident is one among many where public trust in law enforcement has been eroded due to corruption.
2. Delhi: Officers Arrested for Accepting ₹10 Lakh Bribe
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently arrested two Delhi Police officers for accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe. This high-profile case underscores a pattern of financial exploitation by some officers who misuse their authority for personal gain.
3. Tamil Nadu: Central vs. State Corruption Clash
The arrest of an Enforcement Directorate officer by Tamil Nadu police on corruption charges has raised jurisdictional disputes. The Supreme Court intervened, questioning the integrity of investigations in such politically sensitive cases.
4. Maharashtra: Extortion by Senior Police Officials
In another incident, senior police officials in Mumbai were accused of extorting money from local businesses, leveraging their positions of power to amass illicit wealth.
Incidents of Police Brutality
1. Assam: Assault of a Delivery Worker
In a shocking display of brutality, Inspector Bhargav Borbora of Panbazar Police Station in Guwahati was suspended after a video showed him assaulting a Zomato delivery worker, Gyandeep Hazarika, over a minor traffic violation. The incident sparked widespread outrage, with activists demanding stricter accountability for police behavior.
2. Uttar Pradesh: Death During Protest
A Congress worker tragically lost his life during a protest in Lucknow. Eyewitnesses and party members alleged that police brutality was to blame, as they used excessive force to suppress demonstrators. This incident adds to the growing list of human rights violations linked to law enforcement in the state.
3. Punjab: Custodial Death
A man in Punjab’s Amritsar district died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody. Family members accused the police of torture, while the authorities failed to provide a transparent explanation, further fueling public skepticism.
4. Haryana: Harassment of Farmers
During recent farmer protests in Haryana, videos surfaced showing police using water cannons and lathi charges on peaceful demonstrators. Several farmers sustained serious injuries, raising concerns about the disproportionate use of force against civilians.
5. Madhya Pradesh: Arbitrary Detention and Beating
In Madhya Pradesh, a young man was allegedly detained without cause and subjected to severe physical abuse at a local police station. His family’s pleas for justice were met with bureaucratic delays, leaving them without recourse.
