Viral video shows Mangaluru cops assaulting girl at police station, Karnataka child rights panel seeks explanation

Expressing disapproval over the incident, Gowda announced that the city police commissioner would initiate a suo motu case against officials of the police and excise departments.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal said Sunday that the girl was brought to the police station by excise department officials following a complaint about her aggressive behaviour at a pharmacy near Pumpwell. The excise department had sought to carry out a narcotic test in view of her volatile behaviour.

The viral video shows the girl kicking one of the female police officers as they attempted to engage with her. In response to her actions, the police personnel handcuffed her and also assaulted her in the process.

“The girl was aggressive towards excise department officials on September 1 when they approached her following a complaint from a pharmacy owner near Pumpwell. She was brought to the police station for a narcotic test,” the commissioner said.

“With the assistance of female police officers, the girl was taken to a hospital where she tested negative in the narcotic test. She was subsequently reunited with her parents and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. An investigation is underway,” stated Agarwal.

KSCPCR chairperson Gowda said police officers need to receive specialised training in handling sensitive cases, emphasising that the incident at the police station underscored the absence of such training. He added, “The police should have demonstrated patience and waited for the girl to regain composure before engaging in counselling” and termed their approach “inappropriate.”