NEW DELHI, June 9: The New Delhi district police has suspended the two constables who reportedly harassed a couple for about three hours on June 5 night at India Gate lawns. The constables had also allegedly tried to extort Rs 3,000 from the couple at the area police station.Following a complaint registered by 32-year-old Khalid Kamal and his wife Arshi on June 6 that they were harassed by constables Mast Ram and Bhagirath, the duo were suspended the same day and a departmental inquiry ordered.
DCP T.N. Mohan (New Delhi) has further issued orders that the police should not unnecessarily question couples who visit the India Gate lawns. Strict disciplinary action would be taken against erring cops.
The couple had gone to the India Gate lawns for ice-cream around 11.30 p.m. that night. There was no electricity in their South Delhi house and the they wrongly assumed that the lawns would offer some respite. However, the couple was in for shock when they were harassed by the constables who were patrolling the area. They forced the couple to accompany them to the Tughlak Road police station. The couple alleged that the two constables ask them for their marriage certificate in the middle of the road.When the policemen failed to extract Rs 3,000 from them at the police station, they let go of them at 2 a.m. Khalid registered a complaint against the constables with the SHO.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
