Kheda Public Flogging: Gujarat HC to Frame Charges Against Police Officials

The Gujarat High Court has stated that it will formally frame charges against four police officers, including an inspector, next month on allegations of contempt of court in connection with their alleged involvement in the public flogging of members of a minority community in Kheda district in October 2022.

A division bench of Justice AS Supehia and Justice MR Mengdey has scheduled the matter for October 4, where charges will be framed against police inspector AV Parmar, sub-inspector DB Kumavat, head constable KL Dabhi, and constable RR Dabhi. The roles and identities of these officers were detailed in a report prepared by the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) of Kheda following an inquiry into the incident.

The incident occurred during the Navratri festival in October last year when a group of individuals from the Muslim community reportedly threw stones at a garba dance event in Undhela village, Kheda district, causing injuries to several villagers and police personnel. Videos circulated on social media depicted police personnel allegedly using force against three of the 13 individuals who had been arrested for throwing stones.

A total of 13 police officers were implicated in the case. The specific involvement of the four mentioned police personnel was delineated in the report produced by the chief judicial magistrate of Kheda following a thorough inquiry into the incident.

In a prior order, the high court had sought to ascertain the veracity of the claims made by some of the victims of the flogging. Consequently, it directed the CJM of Kheda to substantiate the details and compile a comprehensive report following an inquiry, which would also identify the roles played by each of the 13 accused individuals.