Gujarat police flogging video goes viral: Homeless murder accused tied with ropes, beaten during crime reconstruction

A video showing the alleged public flogging has since gone viral on social media.

The accused, identified as Faizal alias Khatki Rafiq Lakhani, was arrested just hours before the incident.

In the viral video, Lakhani can be seen tied with ropes and taken near the GSRTC bus stand in Bhavnagar. Police personnel were seen holding him against a patrol vehicle and hitting him during the reconstruction of the crime scene.

According to reports, Lakhani was arrested on September 4 in connection with the alleged murder of 40-year-old Kajal, with whom he reportedly lived on the street outside the bus stand.

On September 3, Lakhani allegedly assaulted Kajal and a mutual friend, Ravi alias Boda Rajendra Gohel, after accusing them of having an affair while he was in jail in connection with another case.

The assault was reportedly captured on CCTV cameras.

Kajal was subsequently taken to Sir Takhtasinhji General Hospital in Bhavnagar, where she was declared dead.

Police defend public flogging

When asked about videos purportedly showing him and other police personnel thrashing Lakhani in public, Police Inspector D P Unadkat, SHO of Nilambaug police station, told The India Express that the incident took place during the reconstruction of the crime scene on Saturday.

“We did it because this is a rare case,” he was quoted as saying.

“He is not a gang member as such, but he is in the habit of being a nuisance. There are many others who engage in similar activities. When you do this (flogging), miscreants remain scared of the police. When they do smaller crimes, they are arrested and then released on bail and so there is a feeling that the police cannot do anything to them. When we do this, they fear the police,” Unadkat was quoted as saying.

Lakhani was subsequently produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.

Accused's criminal record

Speaking about Lakhani’s criminal antecedents, Unadkat said this was the first murder case registered against him.

“He has been booked in six earlier cases including abduction and assaulting police officers and loot, among others. Three of the cases are in Nilambaug police station while the other three are at Vartej police station,” he said.