New Delhi: A court here today granted bail to a sacked Delhi police head constable, who was caught on camera hitting a woman with a brick after allegedly demanding a bribe, saying there were counter versions of the incident and no evidence to substantiate the woman's bribe charge.
“There being two counter versions of the incident and there being no clear demand of bribe. I am of the opinion that the accused is entitled to bail. Hence, the bail is granted,” Special Judge Narottam Kaushal said.
Earlier, on May 12, the court had remanded sacked head constable Satish Chandra to 14 days in judicial custody. He was initially suspended on May 11 after the incident but later on dismissed from service with immediate effect as the incident triggered widespread outrage.
Chandra was arrested after a criminal case was filed against him when a video clip of his allegedly attacking a young woman with two children at Golf Links in Central Delhi area went viral.
The victim, who was riding a two-wheeler, had alleged that Chandra demanded a bribe of Rs 200 accusing her of violating traffic rules and when she refused, he abused her and then hit her with a brick in front of her two minor children.
The video clip showed the woman picking up a brick and hurling it at the policeman's bike while the constable was seen attacking her back with another brick.
The woman had said she suffered fracture in her left hand in the attack while she was coming from a parent-teacher meeting in her daughter's school. At the time of the incident, the woman's three daughters, including her four-month infant, were with her.
“The policeman asked me for my registration papers and licence and demanded Rs 200 for jumping the red light. I insisted that a receipt be issued to me but the cop refused. When I protested he attacked me with a brick,” she had claimed.
A case was registered against Chandrara at Tuglak Road Police Station under Section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), Section 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and Section 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of IPC and Section 7 (public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act) of Prevention of Corruption Act.
