24 hours on, no complaint registered in blind man assault case in Ahmedabad

The alleged assault of a visually impaired man inside Gujarat University Police Station has turned into an embarrassment for the Ahmedabad Police, with alleged accusations of excessive force, delayed action and attempts at an out-of-court settlement emerging after the incident. 

Despite alleging serious injuries and hospitalisation, 24 hours pass by, and yet the man is still waiting for his complaint to be registered. 

The complainant, Gopalbhai Darji, who is visually impaired, runs a small shop in Ahmedabad’s Panchvati area. He claimed that a woman police sub-inspector, Sonal Rathod (posted at Changodar Police Station), entered the GU Police Station and physically assaulted the complainant only for attempts at a private settlement to allegedly follow in connection with a dispute involving a minor boy. 

According to Darji, the incident began when he suspected a child of damaging items at his shop and attempted to stop him. The matter escalated after the child's family contacted the police, following which Darji was taken to the police station for questioning.

Darji alleged that he was kept at the police station for more than seven hours and was told that the child's mother would arrive to help resolve the matter. He claims that later in the evening, PSI Rathod entered the police station and assaulted him.

The visually impaired man alleged that he was kicked, slapped and beaten with a stick, resulting in injuries to his eye and other parts of his body. He was subsequently admitted to hospital for treatment.

According to Darji, the woman officer visited his residence the following day and apologised for the incident. He further alleged that attempts were made to persuade him to settle the matter instead of pursuing legal action.

The incident has attracted public attention after media reports highlighted the allegations and raised concerns about the treatment of a disabled citizen inside a police station.

Questions have also been raised regarding reports that another police constable allegedly visited the complainant's residence as part of efforts to resolve the matter informally.

Despite the allegations and the complainant's statements, no FIR had reportedly been registered as of Tuesday, leading to criticism of the police response and calls for an impartial inquiry.

Police officials have previously acknowledged an altercation between the officer and the complainant but maintained that the incident arose after the officer learned that her child had allegedly been slapped during the earlier dispute.

The case has now sparked debate over accountability within the police force and whether disciplinary action will be taken against the officer concerned if the allegations are substantiated.

Senior police officials have yet to announce whether a departmental inquiry has been initiated into the matter.