Kheda flogging: Do you have authority to tie up people and beat them, Supreme Court asks police

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday reprimanded the Gujarat Police for the public flogging of five individuals from the Muslim community in a village in Kheda district in 2022. The court questioned the officials from where they drew the authority to tie individuals to poles and subject them to physical assault.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta was hearing an appeal by four police personnel-- inspector A V Parmar, sub-inspector D B Kumavat, head constable K L Dabhi and constable R R Dabhi-- against the October 19, 2023 order of the Gujarat High Court by which they were sentenced to 14-day simple imprisonment for committing contempt of court for violating the apex court's guidelines about detaining and interrogating suspects, reported news agency PTI.

During the hearing, Justice Gavai said, "(Do) you have an authority under law to tie people to a pole and beat them? Go and enjoy the custody."