Viral Video Shows Pune Police Constable Dragging Youth by Collar; Allegations of Police Misconduct – What’s the Matter?
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Katraj, 26th December 2024: Yesterday, a fight broke out between a couple and a group of six people in Pune’s Katraj area. The altercation reportedly began after the couple, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, misbehaved with the group, which included four men and two women. During the clash, police intervened, but the group accused the police of misconduct, claiming partiality and alleging they were beaten.
A video of the incident, now going viral, shows a police constable dragging a youth by the collar. However, the police administration has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the video lacks context and that the tense situation required their actions.
One eyewitness, who knew the group but was not part of them, provided the following details. The group, which included four men and two women, was returning from Mahabaleshwar to Katraj when the incident occurred. The eyewitness alleged that a couple, suspected to be drunk, began throwing stones at the group’s car multiple times from the Katraj Ghat area. The altercation escalated at Katraj Chowk when the couple became aggressive, hurled abuses, and even slapped one of the men from the group.
According to the eyewitness, two police constables from the Katraj Police Chowki intervened. They approached the car and instructed the driver to take the vehicle to the police chowki. When the driver refused, citing the presence of women in the car, the police allegedly slapped him. This triggered another confrontation, during which one of the constables reportedly grabbed a male cousin by the collar and dragged him toward the police vehicle.
The eyewitness further stated that three men from the group, along with the couple, were taken into police custody, while the fourth member, a minor, was not. The group members were reportedly beaten with belts and sticks at the police station, with photos of their injuries being shared as evidence. It was also alleged that one officer returned to the car, demanding the phones and video recordings from the women. The officer reportedly checked their phone galleries before leaving.
Despite the severity of the incident, the group claims that the couple, accused of initiating the altercation, was released after two hours without undergoing medical tests for intoxication or the registration of a formal case. The group has accused the police of misconduct, corruption, and a possible settlement.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2), Smartana Patil, told Punekar News, “The video being circulated online provides only half the context and lacks proper background. Regarding the collar-grabbing incident, the fight was intense and chaotic, and even the police constable was under attack. To stop the fight, the constable had to act in that manner. However, as for the allegations of misconduct and beatings at the police chowki, I don’t believe they are true. Nonetheless, we are looking into the matter.”
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To gather a detailed account from the police, attempts were made to contact in charge of the Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station, which oversees the Katraj Police Chowki. However, he was unavailable for comment.
