A court in Gujarat's Vadodara has ordered criminal proceedings against a former police inspector for allegedly assaulting a man in 2024 and rupturing his eardrum, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Judicial Magistrate First Class Supriya Sanyal, in an order passed on November 4, said a prima facie case had been made out against K N Lathiya, then inspector of Gorwa police station.The court directed that proceedings be initiated against Lathiya under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with voluntarily causing grievous hurt and intentional insult.According to complainant Moin Pathan, he was driving a car in Vadodara's Gorwa area on the night of November 4, 2024, when four or five men on motorcycles attacked him. Pathan called his brother, Mohammad Ahmed Khan, for help.
Khan then called the police control room, but no police assistance arrived. Lathiya later reached the spot in a private black car and was not in uniform.
He took Pathan, his brother and the motorcyclists to Gorwa police station, PTI reported.At the police station, Lathiya allegedly severely beat Pathan and his brother, causing Pathan's eardrum to rupture, their lawyer Darshan Patel said. Pathan received medical treatment the next day.
The police inspector registered a case against Pathan and his brother under the Prohibition Act.Following the alleged assault, the brothers approached the police commissioner, the state Director General of Police and the Home Minister, seeking action against Lathiya. They moved the court after no action was taken.In his defence, Lathiya claimed that the brothers were drunk and that a drunk-driving case registered against them had been proved in court. "They were drunk and put the lives of people at risk.
They also have a criminal past," he said.Patel alleged that Pathan's eardrum had ruptured after he was struck. Pathan also gave his statement in court."The court observed that a prima facie case had been established and ordered that a criminal case be registered against the accused police inspector.
It also directed that summonses be issued to him," Patel told PTI.The court has, therefore, ordered criminal proceedings and the issuance of summonses against Lathiya over the alleged assault that left Pathan with a ruptured eardrum.- Ends(With PTI inputs)