In a fresh incident of alleged misconduct, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a case against one of its own personnel for assaulting a medical professional. This comes barely a month after another policeman was suspended for manhandling a government officer.
The Incident and Immediate Police Action
The incident occurred on December 3 in the hilly Doda district. According to an official statement from the J&K Police, an FIR was promptly registered at the Doda Police Station against Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ghulam Ali. The complaint was filed by Dr. Anzar Majid Malik, a doctor at the district hospital, who alleged that Ali wrongfully restrained and physically assaulted him.
The police statement emphasized its stance, noting that during the investigation, the accused was identified as an ASI of the Police Department. "Upholding its zero-tolerance policy towards any misconduct within the force, Doda Police have set the due legal process into motion," the statement affirmed.
Video Evidence Captures the Altercation
Sources indicate that the police action was accelerated after a video of the assault began circulating. The footage reportedly shows the sequence of events on Wednesday evening. Dr. Malik, returning home from work on his scooter, is seen trying to create space for ASI Ali's car to exit a parking lot in Nagri market.
The situation quickly escalated when Ali's son stepped out of the vehicle to argue with the doctor. As the confrontation intensified, ASI Ghulam Ali himself is seen approaching Dr. Malik, snatching his mobile phone, and then proceeding to assault him.
A Pattern of Recent Misconduct
This case marks the second such incident involving a J&K police officer in recent weeks. In November, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from Nagrota was suspended after a video clip showed him slapping and kicking a Block Development Officer (BDO).
The earlier case also saw judicial scrutiny. On November 24, a local court in Jammu had directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of Gandhi Nagar Police Station to explain why an FIR had not been registered against the suspended DSP and his accompanying personnel.
The back-to-back incidents have put a spotlight on the conduct of law enforcement personnel in the union territory. While the police department has publicly committed to a zero-tolerance policy, these events highlight the challenges in enforcing internal discipline. The registration of the FIR against ASI Ali is being seen as a step towards accountability, following public and judicial pressure from the previous case.
