Punishment to cops upholds values of human dignity, says Kheda flogging victim

“Even though it is only a 14-day simple imprisonment, it is symbolic and holds much value as it sends a message that should deter policemen from taking the law into their own hands. The punishment is upholding values of human dignity and we are extremely grateful to the court for standing by what is right,” added Malek, who was the prime accused in the police FIR registered on October 4, 2022, alleging stone pelting and rioting, following a clash during the Navratri festival at the Undhela village.

While pronouncing the verdict Thursday, the high court stayed the order for three months following a request from the accused to appeal against it.

Malik’s advocate, Gulrez Saiyyed, also a resident of Undhela, told The Indian Express that the petitioners would object to the petition of the accused that would be placed before the Supreme Court in due course following the 90-day stay order on the sentence.

Abdul Karim Malek, president of Madhya Gujarat Muslim Samaj Seva Samiti, which had backed the petitioners in their legal fight against the accused police officers, said, “The verdict has reaffirmed our faith in the judicial process. We are happy that the court threw away the proposal from the policemen offering a compromise, as it was a humiliation that cannot be undone. The entire community in the village had got together to decide they did not want the compensation for the accused.”

The victims had refused a settlement with the accused policemen who had requested the high court to direct them to pay compensation instead of punishing them.