MP: Congress calls for FIR against GRP Katni station in-charge over assault video; BJP assures strict action

Aug 29, 2024

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 29 : Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari has called for an FIR to be filed against the station in-charge of GRP (Government Railway Police), Katni after a video surfaced on social media showing the alleged assault of a woman and a minor at the station.
Reacting to the incident, Madhya Pradesh BJP president VD Sharma called the incident "unfortunate" and said that strict action would be taken against the responsible persons.
The video purportedly shows the alleged assault on a woman and a minor at the GRP station in Katni. Soon after the video went viral on social media, the GRP SP (Superintendent of Police) took cognizance and removed the station in charge. He has also ordered an inquiry into the incident.
"A 60-year-old woman was beaten inside a police station simply because she is a Dalit? A 15-year-old boy was assaulted because he belonged to a Dalit family. What does this say about Madhya Pradesh now? It has become a hub for atrocities against Dalits. CM Mohan Yadav, who is also the state home minister, should address these issues as they reflect poorly on the BJP's stance against Babasaheb Ambedkar and the repression of Dalits," MP Congress President Jitu Patwari told ANI.
"If there was a theft case against the person then what was the fault of his old mother? If there is a case, then will the police and administration do the work of the court? An FIR should have been lodged against the woman (in charge of the GRP station) who committed the incident, there is a CCTV video and no need for any other evidence. Why is the CM and the government silent on this? What is the responsibility of the Home Minister," Patwari questioned.
BJP state chief VD Sharma said that it was an unfortunate incident.
"No individual, irrespective of them being the relative or family of a criminal, should be treated like this, strict action will be taken against whoever did this. Currently, the GRP station in charge has been shifted from there and an investigation has been ordered to DIG-level officers. Strict action will be taken after the investigation," Sharma said.
"Such people will not be spared. There is a BJP government in the state and whoever has committed the crime, strict action will be taken against them," he added.
After the video went viral, SP GRP posted on X, "Upon noticing the incident, the fact that came to light is the video shown has been found to be of October 2023. The people seen in the said video are relatives of a criminal Deepak Vanskar. 19 cases are registered against Deepak Vanskar in GRP police station Katni. Deepak Vanskar is a criminal under surveillance since 2017. Last year, a reward of Rs 10,000 was announced for him after Deepak Vanskar absconded in connection with a theft case. In April this year, orders were given to externed Vanskar from Katni district. Upon receiving the fact from social media (video gone viral), the station in-charge of GRP Katni has been removed and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Railway has been ordered to investigate."
In a post on X, Madhya Pradesh Police stated, "A video of misbehaviour in GRP station Katni has come to light through social media. The video is from October 2023. Upon noticing the incident, the charge station has been attached to GRP Police Line Jabalpur. The Police Headquarters has ordered a DIG-level officer to go to Katni and investigate the incident."