Gujarat HC Orders Immediate Transfer Of Senior Police Officer In Surat Public Flogging Case

The Gujarat High Court has directed the state government to immediately transfer Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rajdeepsinh Nakum in connection with the alleged flogging and public procession of accused persons in Surat. The court said the preliminary investigation report would be considered only after the senior officer is removed from his current position.

High Court Questions Why Officer Was Not Transferred

The court questioned why the senior police officer allegedly responsible for supervising the police personnel involved in the incident had continued in the same position.

The Chief Justice observed that junior police personnel would be unlikely to speak against their senior officer as witnesses while he remained in the same post.

The court questioned the approach of conducting an investigation first and transferring the senior officer later, saying such a situation could not be accepted.

Government Seeks Time Until Next Week

The state government requested that if the court did not issue directions on Friday, it would implement the required action next week.

The High Court has adjourned further hearing of the matter to next week.

2019 Circular Banned Public Processions Of Accused

During the hearing, it was brought to the court's attention that the Home Department had issued a circular on May 21, 2019, prohibiting the public procession of accused persons.

Despite the directive, similar incidents have continued to occur in Gujarat, it was submitted.

The court was also informed about a 2022 incident in Kheda, in which action had been ordered against those responsible.

The 2019 circular states that handcuffing and beating accused persons is against their dignity and fixes responsibility on senior officers, including the DCP and JCP of the concerned area.

High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance

The Gujarat High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the incident on July 22 after videos of the alleged police action in Surat surfaced on social media.

The incident reportedly occurred on July 14, 2026. According to the representation that led to the proceedings, police personnel allegedly paraded suspects in handcuffs on a public road and assaulted them.

The petition was submitted by High Court advocate Utkarsh Dave to Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal. It named DCP Rajdeepsinh Nakum and around 15 to 20 other police personnel and sought action against those allegedly involved.

Suspects Allegedly Beaten In Public

According to the petition, videos circulating on social media showed police personnel allegedly pulling the suspects by their hair, slapping them and hitting them with wooden batons while they were being taken through a public area.

The petitioner alleged that the conduct amounted to punishment being imposed before the accused had been tried or convicted by a court.

The representation also raised concerns over alleged violations of fundamental rights and due process.

Court Calls Incident Serious

During the proceedings, the Chief Justice described the incident as serious, noting that it had allegedly occurred in a public place and that people who saw the videos on social media were shocked.

The court said the investigation must establish why the incident occurred and identify those responsible. However, it made clear that the senior officer should first be transferred so that subordinate police personnel can give evidence without being influenced by his continued presence.

Petition Seeks Independent Probe

The petition has sought an independent investigation into the incident and action against the police personnel allegedly involved.

It has also urged the High Court to frame enforceable guidelines to prevent the public humiliation and physical assault of suspects before trial.

The High Court is expected to hear the suo motu proceedings further as it examines the circumstances surrounding the alleged police action in Surat.