Gujarat Police Beats Accused in Partner Murder, Says Damage to Reputation

Image for representation purposes. | Photo credit: File

A man accused of fatally assaulting his live-in partner at a bus stop in the Gujarat city of Bhavnagar was beaten by police at the same location during a crime scene reconstruction, with officials defending the action as a response to the brutality of the murder.

The Inspector General of Police claimed they had to “go the extra mile”, treating the incident as “the rarest case” as it damaged their reputation and undermined public confidence in the force.

A video showing the accused, identified as Faizal Lakhani, tied with ropes and dragged around while being hit with a baton on Saturday was widely shared on social media platforms.

Inspector DP Unadkat of Neelam Bagh police station said the clip of Lakhani violently assaulting a woman in front of the public has seriously tarnished the image of the police, leading people to say they have lost faith in the force.

“The general public feels that law and order has broken down. Criminals are killing women and girls while the police remain helpless and that the public can only stand by. In such extreme cases, it is necessary to send a strong message to criminals,” he said.

The flogging was necessary to address the “degradation” the police had suffered, the official said.

Victim Kajal Baraiya and Lakhani lived together on the trail for almost seven years. The accused has a history of criminal proceedings, including charges of robbery and other serious crimes.

After his release from prison, he recently discovered that his partner was in a relationship with his acquaintance Ravi, which led to Thursday’s confrontation.

Lakhani attacked Kajal and Ravi. Kajal was admitted to the government-run Sir Takhtasinhji General Hospital in the city, where she succumbed to her injuries during treatment. The accused was held on Friday (September 4, 2026) for murder.

Notably, in a suo motu public interest litigation in the Gujarat High Court that some accused persons were publicly beaten by a police officer in Surat, the amicus curiae said that the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a circular on 7 May curbing such behaviour.

Activities such as forcing the accused to perform sit-ups or crawling on their knees in public, kicking or beating with sticks would require strict disciplinary action, he said.

“Any officer or employee caught in such conduct will face strict disciplinary action and senior officers of the concerned area will be held accountable,” the circular said.

Published – 06 Sep 2026 20:02 IST