Ahmedabad: A woman Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) was suspended on Thursday after allegedly assaulting a 57-year-old visually impaired shopkeeper inside a police station in Ahmedabad. The action came after the victim, Gopalbhai Darji, lodged an FIR against the officer, despite her reportedly making repeated attempts to apologise following the incident.

According to police officials and the victim’s account, the incident occurred on June 1 following a dispute involving a child who allegedly took a packet of wafers from Gopalbhai’s roadside shop without paying. Gopalbhai, who suffers from visual impairment, reportedly caught hold of the child after hearing the packet being opened, resulting in minor injuries to the boy.

The child later informed his father, who allegedly confronted Gopalbhai and invoked the name of his wife, PSI Sonal Rathod. The matter was subsequently brought to Gujarat University Police Station, where Gopalbhai was taken for questioning.

Gopalbhai alleged that after being kept at the police station for several hours, Rathod arrived and verbally abused him before physically attacking him. He claimed the officer repeatedly kicked and punched him and later struck him with a stick, even after he had fallen to the ground, causing injuries including bruising around one eye.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) HM Kansagra said police personnel present at the station attempted to restrain Rathod during the assault. A constable initially intervened, while Gujarat University Police Inspector SR Bawa later instructed her to follow legal procedures instead of taking matters into her own hands.

Following the incident, Gopalbhai sought medical treatment and publicly recounted his experience, triggering widespread outrage on social media and calls for action against the officer.

Police officials said Rathod subsequently visited the victim’s residence and attempted to apologise and settle the matter, but Gopalbhai declined and chose to pursue legal action.

ACP Kansagra confirmed that an FIR had been registered against Rathod at Gujarat University Police Station based on Gopalbhai’s complaint. He added that provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act would also be invoked in the case.

The ACP further said Rathod had allegedly left her posting at Changodar Police Station without informing her superiors and travelled to Gujarat University Police Station, which falls under Ahmedabad City Police jurisdiction, where the alleged assault took place.

Inspector Bawa later reported the incident to the Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police, seeking disciplinary action. Four days after the incident, Rathod was suspended and departmental proceedings were initiated against her. DeshGujarat