Police brutality is not a new issue in India, where many officers abuse their power for personal gain or to oppress others. A recent incident in Srinagar highlights this ongoing problem. On August 24th, a young man's body was brought to the Sub-District Hospital Kreeri. Dr. Jehangir Ahmad, the attending doctor, immediately assessed the situation and initiated emergency procedures like CPR. He also repeatedly contacted the Kreeri police station, as it is mandatory to inform the police in such cases. However, the situation worsened when a mob of people forcibly took the body away from the doctor before the emergency procedures could be completed.
Despite the police station being only two minutes away, the officers took 20 to 25 minutes to arrive. During this time, Dr. Jehangir Ahmad was verbally abused by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kreeri when he tried to contact them multiple times. Upon arriving at the hospital, the SHO also physically mistreated Dr. Jehangir for allowing the body to be taken away. This incident was immediately reported to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, who ordered an inquiry.
Whereas today, i.e., on 25 August 2024 at 0645 hrs, information was received by police station (PS) Kreeri that a male dead body had been brought to SDH Kreeri by locals/relatives of the deceased. It was not clear from initial information whether death was suspicious or attributable to natural causes. Parties from PS Kreeri swung into action to get further details about the matterSenior Superintendent of Police Baramulla
On August 25th, the Kreeri police station revealed that the male body had been brought to the Sub-District Hospital by locals and relatives of the deceased. There was no clear cause of death, and it was uncertain if it was due to natural causes. The Kreeri police station is conducting further investigations.
During the preliminary inquiry, it was revealed that the locals and relatives took the body from the hospital for last rites, and the hospital was unable to confirm the cause of death. Following this inquiry, the police rushed to the village, conducted a detailed investigation, and reported that the deceased had been receiving medical care for some time at a local institute. The death was most likely not suspicious.
Regarding the SHO's treatment of the attending doctor, the evidence confirmed that he verbally and physically abused Dr. Jehangir. Many other medical professionals have since demanded justice.
According to an order issued by SSP Baramulla, an inquiry will be conducted to examine all aspects of the incident in detail and provide appropriate punishment for the disrespectful actions. This inquiry aims to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. All findings and recommendations will be made public within three days.
Considering the facts above, I hereby order that Sh Syed Yasir Qadri-JKPS, Addl SP Baramulla shall conduct an inquiry to examine the incident in detail, ascertain facts, recommend disciplinary action for the use of disrespectful language, and recommend remedial measures to be undertaken. Additionally, the inquiry should suggest measures to ensure that such an incident does not happen in the future. Findings and recommendations shall be provided to the undersigned within three daysSenior Superintendent of Police Baramulla
Input from various sources
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)