Two Punjab policemen suspended for assaulting journalist; case lodged
Batala (Punjab) (PTI): Two Punjab police commandos have been suspended for allegedly assaulting a local journalist here, a police official said on Friday.
A video footage of the assault is viral on social media.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kumar said the incident took place on August 1 and a FIR was later lodged in the matter.
In the video, the two cops, one of whom is in uniform and the other in plainclothes, can be seen dragging the journalist Balwinder Singh and punching him on a busy street. The one wearing uniform kicks him and the scribe falls down on the road. As he lay motionless in a puddle, the cops can be seen waling away.
The DSP said the two policemen were identified as Sub-Inspectors Surjit and Mandeep Singh of the 5th Battalion of Punjab Police Commandos stationed in Bathinda.
"They had come to Batala in connection with a law and order duty assigned to them here," he said.
When asked why the two policemen assaulted the journalist, the DSP said, "the two police officials were staying at a hotel here as they had come to Batala in connection with a duty assigned to them. The journalist Balwinder approached them and asked some questions pertaining to their duty in Batala...suddenly, there was some heated exchange after which the incident (assault) happened".
"An FIR was lodged on August 2 on the complaint of the journalist. Both Sub-Inspectors are of the 5th Battalion...both have been suspended," the DSP added.
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Riyan Parag likely to be fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping inside dressing room
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is set to be fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offences carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
"He is set to be fined a portion of his match fees and a demerit point for a Level 1 offence," said an IPL source.
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals at home on Friday night.
