Thread by @MohammedAkhef

This video is 4m #Aurangabad city. #police constable can be seen brutally assaulting a man for keeping his shop open till late during ongoing #Ramadan

More details awaited

#Maharashtra #policebrutality

@DGPMaharashtra @AbadCityPolice @IpsNikhil @Dwalsepatil @CMOMaharashtra

Update: Here is the detailed account

The incident took place at Bismillah Palace of Koila Gali in Ghas Mandi area of Aurangabad city. Complex is about 200 metres from City Chowk police station, which is surrounded by multiple market areas.

1/n

The incident of police constable assaulting the man has been confirmed by complex's owner Arbaz Khan, as well as staffers from Rajadhani Footwear and SMaster Men's Wear

Other traders unanimously alleged of cops using force for closing shops during ongoing festive season

2/n

Arbaz Khan said that the man seen in the video is Lakhwinder and is a goldsmith hailing from #WestBengal.

Unable to find him in the room he resided, we reached out to his colleague goldsmiths Prosenjit and Hasan, again both from #WestBengal

3/n

Hasan, Prosenjit unanimously n many others they do their goldsmith work from the small rooms there.

They said that after doing with day's work, they had dinner and Lakhwinder (one of them pronounced him as Lokinder), along with two others went downstairs to bring cold water

4/n

Complex owner Arbaz said that their complex gets water once in a month. At the time of incident, he had been to Shahgunj area-based overhead water tank to bring water.

He said that his tenants often go downstairs for getting water from a water cooler his another tenant has.

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We reached out to Lakhwinder's employer Akshay, who said that it was just two days before the incident, he had joined work.

"He got so panicked after the incident that he left my work and shifted to another goldsmith in Mukundwadi area," said Akshay.

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After contacting him over phone, Lakshwinder reluctantly agreed to meet but his employer Madhav objected to it.

Somehow after gaining an entry, we found him to be a poor guy, who was still working when we reached there around midnight

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When asked about the incident, he confirmed about it, and said that he does not want any trouble as he is the only son and sole bread winner for his family residing in Hooghly district.

"I was rubbing tobacco, when the cops came for closing the shops. One of them asked...

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While confirming that the person seen in the video is him, he said that he is the only son and sole bread winner for his family comprising elderly parents residing in Hooghly district. He said that he does not want any trouble by lodging complaint against #PoliceBrutality

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Narrating about the incident, he said that he along with two others had stepped down to get chilled water. "I was rubbing tobacco when the cops came there for closing the shops. One of them mildly hit me while asking to go inside," said Lakshwinder

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"It was while turning back to the complex, I told the cop that I am just having tobacco. He got enraged and started assaulting," he said.

Footages obtained from the #CCTV installed outside Bismillah Palace, substantiated the version given by the victim goldsmith.

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In the #CCTV footage obtained from yet another angle, Lakshwinder (wearing a black T-shirt wid white stripes) can b seen standing along with his two friends [left bottom].

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The footage shows 4 policemen in civil dresses, two carrying baton were accompanied by three more in commando pants, black-T shirts.

video clearly shows victim still rubbing tobacco, when the police constable took baton from his collegaue's hand, started hitting him

12/n

The area marked with red circle is the place where the victim along with his friends was standing. Blue circle is the narrow entrance lane, with barely any space to escape, is where the victim has assaulted by the policeman.

13/n

victim is panicked 2d extent that despite being brutally assaulted, he is unwilling to lodge complaint.

it is nothing new for the power-drunk policemen to commit such atrocities, but by ensuring appropriate action, faith of commoners can restored to some extent

End of #Thread

#UPDATE

On the charges of assaulting #goldsmith Lakhwinder, #Aurangabad commissioner of police Dr Nikhil Gupta has attached suspect police constable Sanjay Nand to Headqtr, ordered an inquiry by ACP city.

@DGPMaharashtra @AbadCityPolice @IpsNikhil @Dwalsepatil @CMOMaharashtra