NEW DELHI: Police in one of India’s most lawless states have been caught on camera throwing the body of a road accident victim into a canal, triggering outrage on Monday.
The video, which has gone viral, shows three policemen in the state of Bihar carrying the bloodied victim to a bridge barrier before levering him over the edge into the waters below, as bystanders looked on.
The video has garnered more than 800,000 views since being posted on Sunday.
Police in India are widely regarded as corrupt and ineffective, and Bihar—which has a population of more than 100 million people—is one of the country’s poorest and least developed states.
SPONSORED CONTENT Daily Express members: Enjoy 1 for 1 signature cocktails and more at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu: DAILY EXPRESS is partnering with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to offer an exclusive deal for our members. Read more A senior police officer of Muzaffarpur district told AFP his men “only threw the lower half” of the man into the water as it was badly crushed by a speeding truck and could not be salvaged.
“It was the body of an elderly man who is yet to be identified. The upper half was sent for post-mortem but the lower half was badly mangled so they threw it in the canal,” said Rakesh Kumar.
“It was a big mistake. We have suspended the three policemen who can be seen in the video.”
After the video went viral, police hurriedly fished out some body parts from the canal, a local media report said.
One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, asked “Are they police or savage beasts?”
Another wrote: “It seems that humanity and morality has died among people these days.” Critics argue that such misconduct by police personnel not only erodes public trust in law enforcement but also raises serious questions about the integrity of the criminal justice system. In response to mounting pressure from the public, senior officials within the police department have vowed to address the issue transparently, ensuring that justice prevails.
The incident strikes a chord in a broader context, as law enforcement agencies around the world grapple with concerns regarding police brutality and abuse of power. Instances like these further intensify public scrutiny and elevate the need for urgent reforms within these institutions.
In recent years, social media platforms have become powerful tools for holding authorities accountable and shedding light on systemic issues. Videos such as this serve as reminders of the importance of transparency and the vital role played by citizen journalism in ensuring justice is served.
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