When people ride without a helmet on India's roads, the worst they expect is a fine from the police. But one rider got a much more brutal punishment than he expected -- a powerful blow to the head from a lathi.
In a shocking incident that was caught on camera, a policeman in Kallupalam in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district whacked a bike rider with his lathi for not wearing a helmet and speeding past when asked to stop. The biker was grievously injured.
Following the incident, outraged passers by fought back with the cops, ending in a scuffle between the cops and the public.
According to the CCTV footage, the incident took place on November 23 at around 5:30 pm.
The video shows the policeman bracing himself and moving to the centre of the road, as a speeding bike approaches him.
When it is clear that two youngsters who are riding without helmets, are not going to stop, he lifts his lathi and whacks the rider in the face, leaving him with a deep gash on his forehead.
The video also shows two other police officers on the other side of the road, who try to stop the bike, but give up when they notice its speed.
The rider has been identified as Rakesh from Serukol village. Visuals showed the youngster with a blood-stained shirt, due the deep cut on his head.
Following this, an ambulance was called, and Rakesh was given first-aid.
When locals tried to protest, they alleged that the police behaved rudely with them as well. The locals were also caught on camera manhandling the accused police officer.
Speaking to The News Minute, SP of Kanyakumari, Durai, said that the constable who attacked the rider, identified as Maria Across, has been placed under suspension. “We have taken action against the constable,” the SP said. However, the constable does not seem to face the possibility of an arrest.