Indian police use sticks to beat murder suspects as a deterrent
Quick Look
- Indian police in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, repeatedly used a stick to hit Faizal Lakhani, suspected of killing his girlfriend Kajal Baraiya, to create a deterrent effect after he committed a crime with exceptional brutality.
- Video of the incident was shared on social networks, while some people supported the police action, but many criticized it because Lakhani had not been convicted by the court and violated the Indian Supreme Court's ruling on escorting suspects.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Faizal Lakhani was arrested in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, last week for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend Kajal Baraiya to death. He and the victim lived together on the sidewalk for nearly 7 years. Lakhani has a criminal record for robbery and other serious crimes. After being released from prison, he discovered that Kajal was in a relationship with Ravi, his acquaintance, and assaulted both Kajal and Ravi on September 3. Kajal was taken to the hospital but died from her injuries.
Indian police used sticks to repeatedly hit the murder suspect as a deterrent, because this person committed a "too brutal" crime.
Faizal Lakhani was arrested in Bhavnagar city, Gujarat state last week for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend to death, Indian media reported on September 6. On September 5, police took Lakhani to the bus station in the city to reconstruct the crime scene.
Video shared on social networks shows Lakhani with his hands tied with rope and held to a pole, while a police officer repeatedly hits him with a stick in front of many onlookers.
Inspector D.P. Unadkat, head of Neelam Bagh police station, confirmed this video, saying officers had to use such strong measures in "the rarest case" because of the suspect's brutality when committing the crime.
"We beat him to set an example, showing that crimes against women will be dealt with severely and that no one else dares to commit the same act. When we do that, they will be afraid of the police," Mr. Unadkat said.
According to Mr. Unadkat, suspect Lakhani brutally beat his girlfriend in public and this seriously damaged the image of the police, causing some people to say they have lost faith in this force.
"The public feels that law and order has collapsed. Thugs are killing women and girls, while the police are helpless and people can only stand by and watch. In such extreme cases, it becomes extremely necessary to send a tough message to criminals," the official said, adding that beating suspects was necessary to address the "notoriety" suffered by the police.
Some social media users welcomed Lakhani's police cane, while others criticized the officers' actions. Some people pointed out that Lakhani was the suspect, not yet convicted by the court. The Supreme Court of India also issued a ruling prohibiting police from parading suspects in public places or beating them.
Bhavnagar city police chief Nitesh Pandey declined to comment.
Victims Kajal Baraiya and Lakhani lived together on the sidewalk for nearly 7 years. The suspect has a criminal record, including robbery and other serious crimes. After being released from prison, Lakhani discovered that his girlfriend was having an affair with his acquaintance Ravi.
Lakhani assaulted Kajal and Ravi on September 3. Kajal was taken to the hospital but died during treatment due to the severity of her injuries.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The court will open an investigation into the police's actions in using force to beat suspect Lakhani
Likely · Within weeks
Faizal Lakhani will be brought to court to be tried for murder
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Was Lakhani tried and convicted by a court of law?
- Were any disciplinary actions taken against the officers involved in clubbing suspects?
- Was the incident video independently verified by independent organizations?
- Is there any internal police investigation into this incident?
