Ahmedabad PSI suspended for assaulting blind vendor

Ahmedabad: A woman sub-inspector posted at Changodar police station has been suspended for assaulting a blind street vendor inside Gujarat University police station over a dispute involving her minor son.

The action came four days after the incident triggered outrage among disability rights groups and social organisations. The victim, 57-year-old Gopal Darji, who runs a pan parlour near Panchvati, also lodged a complaint with Gujarat University police on Thursday, alleging that PSI Sonal Rathod and her husband abused, threatened, and assaulted him.

According to the complaint, the matter unfolded on Monday afternoon when Darji suspected that some boys were meddling with snack packets at his stall. Darji, who is blind in both eyes, said he reflexively extended his hand after hearing a packet being torn. In the process, his hand brushed against a child’s hand.

This infuriated the child’s father, and an argument followed. The man subsequently dialled the police helpline, after which Darji was taken to Gujarat University police station for an inquiry. Darji alleged that while the cops were recording his statement, the child’s father left the police station, saying he would return later.

A few hours later, PSI Rathod arrived at the police station and confronted Darji. She allegedly used abusive language, taunted him about his blindness, and kicked, punched and beat him with a stick. Darji further alleged that she threatened to kill him and his family members.

The cops present at the station allegedly intervened and reminded the PSI that Darji was blind. Yet, the PSI allegedly continued to assault him until senior officials stepped in.

Darji, who suffered injuries near his right eye and temple, received treatment at Jivraj Mehta Hospital. He subsequently filed a formal complaint after his condition improved.

ACP (B Division) H M Kansagara told the media on Thursday that the dispute arose after the vendor’s hand accidentally struck the child. He confirmed that PSI Rathod had assaulted Darji.

After an internal inquiry, Ahmedabad rural police suspended the PSI. Disability rights organisations welcomed the action. Dr Bhushan Punani, secretary of the Blind People’s Association, said several NGOs had jointly represented the matter before the state DGP, adding that the suspension sent a message that violence against persons with disabilities would not be tolerated.