Vadodara court orders criminal case against former police inspector for rupturing youth's eardrum in custody

According to an India Today report, a court in Vadodara, Gujarat, has ordered criminal proceedings against a former police inspector for allegedly assaulting a man in custody in 2024 and rupturing his eardrum. The case highlights allegations of custodial violence and delays in official accountability. According to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, Judicial Magistrate First Class Supriya Sanyal stated in an order issued on November 4 that a prima facie case is established against the then inspector of Gorwa Police Station, K.N. Lathiya.

The court has directed that proceedings be initiated against Lathiya under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita regarding voluntarily causing grievous hurt and intentional insult. According to the complainant Moin Pathan, on the night of November 4, 2024, he was driving a car in the Gorwa area of Vadodara when four to five individuals on motorcycles attacked him. Pathan called his brother Mohammad Ahmed Khan for help. Khan subsequently called the police control room, but no police assistance reached the spot.

According to the PTI report, Lathiya later arrived at the scene in a private black car and was not wearing a uniform. He took Pathan, his brother, and the motorcyclists to the Gorwa Police Station. According to their lawyer Darshan Patel, Lathiya allegedly severely beat Pathan and his brother at the police station, which resulted in the rupture of Pathan's eardrum. Pathan sought medical treatment the next day. The police inspector registered a case against Pathan and his brother under the Prohibition Act.

After the alleged assault, both brothers approached the Police Commissioner, the state Director General of Police (DGP), and the Home Minister to demand action against Lathiya. Having received no response, they approached the court. In his defense, Lathiya claimed that both brothers were in an intoxicated state and the drunk-driving case registered against them has already been proven in court. He stated that they were intoxicated and had endangered people's lives, and that they also have a criminal history.

Lawyer Patel alleged that the assault caused Pathan's eardrum to rupture. Pathan also recorded his statement in court. Lawyer Patel told PTI that the court observed that a prima facie case has been established and ordered the registration of a criminal case against the accused police inspector. The court has also directed the issuance of summons against him. Thus, the court has ordered criminal proceedings and the issuance of summons against Lathiya regarding the alleged assault that caused the rupture of Pathan's eardrum.