Master syndrome of the police
This time the victim of police excesses is a young man who happens to be a grandson of the first prime minister of the country. Not for a moment are we suggesting that people connected to high ups should be above the law. By the same token no one can be below the law either.
While we see no reason why one's pedigree should stand as a shield against police taking action for violation of the law, the question is was he guilty of any? And even if he was, was the treatment meted out to him that required hospitalization, justified? Such attitude of the police reinforces public perception of it being masters and not servants of the people.
From the reports available we have not found any acts of commission by the victim except, "misbehaving with the police at the police station" according to them. From what we have learned so far, he incurred the wrath of so-called lawmen after he identified himself as the nephew of a former state minister for home.
The treatment meted out to the young man is an everyday occurrence in this country. And we would like to reiterate what the mother of the victim told the press that if one with such a strong political connection can suffer such physical abuse and indignity at the hands of the law enforcing agencies then woe betide the link less common man.
Many incidents of such excesses do not get reported at all, and, unlike this incident because of the media coverage, cannot draw the attention of the country's judiciary. The High Court should be complimented for taking cognisance of the matter and for directing that various actions be taken against the errant policemen. We note too that the police authorities have formed a two-member probe body of their own to investigate the incident.
We feel that there must be complete attitudinal change in the police. They must understand that they are the servants of the people, not their masters, and behave accordingly.
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