Rajasthan : Police strips and thrashes Army commando

• Commando allegedly used cuss words, says Police

• Union Minister for Sainik Welfare, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, reprimands Police

Jaipur (Rajasthan) – Arvind, a commando serving in the Indian Army, was brutally assaulted by five Police officers at Shipra Path Police station. During the incident, he was stripped and thrown into a barrack, where he was beaten with batons and subjected to verbal abuse. He was made to sit among criminals. The Police also forced him to say that the Police department is better and bigger than the Indian Army (police Bharatiya sena ki baap hai) and filmed it. Following the incident, Arvind lodged a complaint with Union Minister for Sainik Welfare, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Rathore immediately visited the Police station and reprimanded the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Sanjay Sharma.

1. Rathore himself informed the media about the incident. Commando Arvind is currently stationed in Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir. On 11th August, he went to the Police station to inquire about a matter related to a fellow commando when the incident took place.

2. In a heated exchange, Rathore reprimanded the Police, showing them evidence of the assault of commando captured on his phone. When DCP Sanjay Sharma attempted to justify the Police’s actions by claiming that the commando had abused the officers, Rathore sternly interrupted, saying, “Why are you speaking when I am talking ? Respond only when spoken to or stand in attention. If you don’t want to stand here, go to your office.”

Commando stripped and beaten in Jaipur by Police with sticks

On being questioned by Union Minister of Sainik Welfare, @Ra_THORe Police justify their action claiming the Commando used abusive language

If the Police behave this way with a soldier, one can only imagine how they… pic.twitter.com/xbdyunczxu

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) August 13, 2024

Those with power must exercise great restraint – Minister Rathore

The Minister continued, “You haven’t learned basic manners. Do you think wearing a Police uniform gives you special privileges ? Is your intent to serve or to bully ? Whether he (the soldier) used abusive language or not, it does not matter. Did you (Police) strip the soldier and beat him with sticks or not ? Those with power must act with great restraint. When we were in service, didn’t people hurl abuses at us ? We never paid attention. It does not matter. Let people say what they want; we focused on our duty.” Rathore had retired from the Army as a Major.

Showing off the power of uniform to those who protect the country is cowardice – Minister Rathore

Speaking to the media, Rathore expressed his outrage over the incident, “This is very sad. This shows a disgusting mentality. Such people are a threat to society. Showing off the power of uniform to those who protect the country is cowardice. I have spoken to the Director General of Police and the Police Commissioner. Further action will be taken against those involved.”

Editorial Perspective

Imagine how the Police, who treat a soldier in this manner, must be treating ordinary citizens. Strict action should be taken against the responsible officers and personnel.