A Parliamentary panel has expressed "severe displeasure" over the conduct of Gujarat police personnel on the issue of alleged assault on a woman Congress MP who was prevented by the cops from going to a function attended by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Pulling up the cops involved in the incident in May last year, the panel hoped the Gujarat government will evolve suitable measures to check its repeat after it took up the matter following a privilege notice by Prabha Kishor Taviad on the alleged assault on her by police personnel of Dahod district.
While asking the state government to take appropriate action against Dahod DSP S P Sarang "whose overzealous approach resulted in humiliation of Taviad", the panel condemned the "excessive and avoidable force" against her.
She had raised the issue in the Lok Sabha on May 2 alleging that despite having an invitation and a VIP pass, she was stopped from attending 'Gaurav Din', Gujarat's creation day.
She said she was also pulled by her hair and suffered bruises in the attack. After Speaker Meira Kumar accepted her notice, the Privileges Committee took up the matter.
In his deposition before the panel, Dahod District Collector J M Luni said a state IB report had apprehended that Congress workers led by Taviad could disrupt the function to be chaired by Modi.
"The local police detained the honourable MP in view of such apprehensions," the official said.
In its report presented today, the panel expressed "severe displeasure" over the conduct of police personnel led by Sarang, "whose overzealous approach resulted in humiliation of Taviad".
The panel has recommended appropriate action by the Gujarat government against Sarang.
"The Committee further deprecate the act of police authorities in using excessive and avoidable force against Taviad," the report said.
It termed as "reckless" the manner in which the MP was treated.
In view of the unconditional apology tendered by SP Dahod Nipuna Torawane, the committee did not make any adverse remark against her and has let her off the hook.
The Committee said in view of its observations, it hoped that the Gujarat government will put in place "suitable measures" to avoid recurrence of such incidents, especially with women MPs.
