NCW takes cognizance of Katni incident, writes to Madhya Pradesh DGP demanding swift probe

New Delhi [India], August 29 (ANI): The National Commission for Women on Thursday took cognisance of the Katni incident and wrote to the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) demanding a swift and thorough investigation.
Reportedly, an elderly woman and a child were assaulted at the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Madhya Pradesh's Katni station.
In a post on X, the National Commission for Women said, "NCW takes serious note of a disturbing incident in Katni, MP where a woman and her 15-year-old grandson were reportedly beaten by GRP officers. The Commission has written a letter to DGP of the state demanding a swift and fair investigation. Action must be taken against those responsible. Detailed report expected within 3 days."
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Station in charge of Government Railway Police (GRP) Katni, Aruna Vahane and five other police personnel have been suspended for assaulting a woman and a minor at GRP station, said Simala Prasad, Superintendent of Police GRP, on Thursday.
Assuring action on the alleged assault on a woman and her grandson at Katni GRP station, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said that orders have been given to suspend the then Thana incharge, one head constable and four constables with immediate effect.
"An old video of assault by the officer/employees of Thana G.R.P. Katni is going viral on social media. As soon as it came to my notice, I immediately directed to send DIG Rail to the spot for investigation this morning. As per the preliminary investigation, orders have been given to suspend the then Thana Incharge G.R.P. Katni along with one head constable and four constables with immediate effect. Also, senior police officers have been directed to ensure that such misconduct is not repeated in future," Mohan Yadav wrote in a post on X.
Moreover, the Congress also launched an attack on the government over the viral video of 2023 where a woman and her teen grandson were mercilessly thrashed inside the railway police station in Katni district.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari said, "A woman was beaten up the whole night, her 15-year-old grandson was also beaten up. We have come here to file an FIR, but for the last 2 hours, the police is confused about whether to file an FIR or not. She is a Dalit and comes from the reserved category and her FIR is not being registered. This is a living example of hooliganism... Until her FIR is registered, we will sit here..."
Jitu Patwari on Thursday stated that unless justice is served and an FIR is registered against the culprits he will go on a hunger strike.
DIG (Deputy Inspector General) Railways of Madhya Pradesh, Monika Shukla, will investigate the matter and further action will be taken accordingly, the officer added.
According to the police, the incident occurred in October last year but recently, a video of it surfaced on social media.
SP Railways, Simala Prasad, told reporters, "We have seen the original video. There is a CCTV camera installed in the office here and on the basis of that, TI Aruna Vahane has been suspended. Along with this, five other police personnel who are seen in the video have also been suspended. The entire investigation of the case will be done by DIG Railways Monika Shukla."
The investigation has been started and all the involved police personnel have been suspended immediately. Further action will be taken according to the facts revealed in the probe, she added.
Earlier, after the video went viral, SP GRP posted on X, "Upon noticing the incident, the fact that came to light is the video shown has been found to be of October 2023. The people seen in the said video are relatives of a criminal Deepak Vanskar. 19 cases are registered against Deepak Vanskar in GRP police station Katni. Deepak Vanskar is a criminal under surveillance since 2017."
"Last year, a reward of Rs 10,000 was announced for him after Deepak Vanskar absconded in connection with a theft case. In April this year, orders were given to extern Vanskar from Katni district. Upon receiving the fact from social media (video gone viral), the station in-charge of GRP Katni has been removed and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Railway has been ordered to investigate," GRP added in the post.
In a post on X, Madhya Pradesh Police stated, "A video of misbehaviour in GRP station Katni has come to light through social media. The video is from October 2023. Upon noticing the incident, the charge station was attached to GRP Police Line Jabalpur. The Police Headquarters has ordered a DIG-level officer to go to Katni and investigate the incident." (ANI)