Katni Police Station Video: The political climate in Madhya Pradesh has become increasingly charged following the emergence of a controversial video from the Katni Government Railway Police (GRP) station. Jitu Patwari, the President of the Madhya Pradesh Congress, has targeted the state government led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Patwari has announced plans to visit Katni to meet with the family of the victims involved in the incident. He underscored that, despite the crime occurring a year ago, its gravity remains unchanged, asserting, “The crime is not small.”
The Congress leader further condemned the ruling BJP government, accusing it of creating an environment where atrocities against Dalits and tribals are rampant. He alleged that BJP leaders “urinate on Dalits and torture them,” and questioned the accountability of Chief Minister Yadav, who also serves as the Home Minister, asking, “What has he done in this matter so far?”
In a media briefing, Jitu Patwari reiterated his intention to meet the victim’s family in Katni and expressed a desire to connect them with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He called for strict action against the station in-charge (TI) who allegedly assaulted a Dalit woman and her grandson, suggesting that the house of the accused officer should be demolished.
The situation escalated after a video depicting a woman and her minor grandson being beaten at the Katni GRP police station went viral. In response to public outcry, SP Railway Jabalpur removed the GRP station in-charge, Aruna Vahane, and initiated an investigation into the incident. The Congress party has continued to criticize Chief Minister Yadav and the BJP government for their handling of the matter.
Kusum Vanskar and her grandson, Deepraj Vanskar, who were allegedly assaulted at the GRP police station, recently shared their account with the media. They revealed that the incident took place ten months ago, in October 2023, when they were summoned for questioning and subjected to severe beatings throughout the night. The case involves a 15-year-old minor from Jharra Tikuria and his grandmother, both belonging to the Dalit community.
The victims’ Dalit identity has intensified political tensions in the state. In response, Jitu Patwari has planned his visit to Katni to meet with Deepraj and his grandmother. He expressed his concerns on social media, stating, “An incident of brutally beating this Dalit family by the station in-charge and staff of Katni GRP has come to light. Whenever unethical injustice/atrocity has been done to anyone, Congress has stood with the victim.”
Meanwhile, GRP station in-charge Aruna Vahane defended her actions, claiming that the beatings were connected to the criminal activities of Kusum Vanskar’s son, Deepak Vanskar, who is also the father of the minor. Vahane stated that Deepak is a notorious criminal with 17 cases registered against him and was considered “most wanted” by the railway police, with a reward of ten thousand rupees for his capture.
She explained that the family was brought to the station for questioning due to their alleged support of Deepak’s criminal activities. While Deepak has been arrested and jailed, Kusum and her grandson are currently at home.
As the investigation continues, political rivalries and public outcry are intensifying, bringing ongoing concerns about police conduct and the treatment of marginalized communities in Madhya Pradesh to the forefront.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, taking cognizance of the case of assault on an elderly woman and child by the policemen of GRP Katni police station in an old video going viral on social media, had directed DIG Railways to investigate. After being found guilty in the preliminary investigation, the then police station in-charge Aruna Vahane along with head constable Ajay Srivastava and four constables Varsha Dubey, Omkar Sirsam, Sohaib Abbasi, and Salman Khan have been suspended with immediate effect. CM Dr. Yadav has directed the police officers to ensure that such misconduct is not repeated in the state.
