Recently, Andhra Pradesh High Court ordered CBI inquiry into the misbehaviour of Vizag Police. This happened allegedly during the arrest of Dr. Sudhakar. Dr. Sudhakar was a government anaesthetist, who worked at Narasipatnam Government Hospital. He got suspended from his service after he reported that the government failed to provide N-95 masks.
Doctor’s Arrest and Mishandling
The police arrested him on 16 May 2020 on the National Highway in Visakhapatnam. They arrested him for creating a nuisance. Police shifted him to IV Town Police Station. Later, they shifted him to the government hospital due to his mental illness. A police constable had beaten him up with baton while arresting him. Later, the police department suspended the constable.
A video clip was also doing rounds which showed how police treated him. Police had hit the doctor, dragged him, tied his hands behind him and pushed him into an auto-rickshaw. They took him to King George Hospital. Doctors reported he was in an intoxicated condition at that time. Later, he got treated for acute and transient psychosis in the Government Hospital for Mental Health. This incident got condemned by the opposition party and doctor’s association. IMA protested against the Andhra Pradesh Government over the inappropriate police working.
According to the police, the doctor misbehaved with a traffic head constable. He snatched constable’s mobile phone and threw it away. Police reported that he misbehaved with an auto-rickshaw driver. He allegedly caused a traffic jam. Police claim that they took the doctor into custody to prevent him from causing harm to himself. Since they found him in an intoxicated condition, they took him to KG Hospital for an alcohol test.
The police charged the doctor under Section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and Section 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs. 50) of the IPC.
High Court Took a Suo Motu Cognizance
Vangalapudi Anita, Telugu Mahila President, wrote a letter to the HC stating the misbehaviour of police with the doctor.
High Court took suo motu cognizance in the matter. It issued notice to the State Government. Additionally, the Court directed the District Court judge of Vizag to inquire about the case. The Court directed the judge to take a doctor’s statement. The Court asked the Vizag Sessions judge to visit the hospital and record his statement.
After taking note of his report, the Court has ordered CBI to conduct an inquiry.
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