Click to play videoPatna: The visuals of a policeman on a motorcycle dragging an alleged thief through the streets of Bhagalpur shocked the nation a few months back. Following public uproar they were suspended pending an enquiry by the Human Rights Committee of Bihar legislative Assembly.
And this what the Human Rights Committee found out — that the policemen were just transporting the thief, Salim, to safety, away from the fury of the mob that first started beating him on suspicion of being a thief.
The Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, Bihar Legislative Council, Basudev Singh says, "Sometimes the wrong thing is done. At that time, the circumstances were such the policemen made a mistake. But whatever the Bhagalpur SP has done, we condone it. It's also not right to suspend or dismiss any policeman without giving him a showcause notice."
The panel has instead blamed the mob, saying that someone tied Salim to the motorcycle and he fell from it when the policemen tried to rescue him.
Even before the report is officially submitted to the government or made public, the political brick batting has started.
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad says, "The world saw what had happened. What can I say to the committee now?"
The Assembly's panel has been unable to see what thousands across the country saw — the brutality of the men in khaki. And once the government accepts the report, these policemen will be absolved of all charges and could be back on the streets soon.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.