A disturbing incident in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked public outrage after CCTV footage emerged showing a policeman slapping and assaulting an elderly man who reportedly has a hearing impairment. The incident unfolded during a routine police visit to DJ operators ahead of the Moharram procession.
According to reports, the elderly man was seated outside a closed DJ shop when DC Rajput, the outpost in-charge of Heeraman Purwa, approached him and asked about the shop’s signage. The man’s inability to clearly hear the officer—due to his hearing problem—led to a miscommunication. When he responded in a slightly louder tone, the officer allegedly lost his temper and slapped and beat him.
The elderly man later explained, “I have a hearing problem. The officer came today and asked whose shop it was. I gave an answer. He asked again, and I replied a bit loudly. Then he said, 'You’re speaking in a loud voice,' and started hitting me.”
The CCTV footage has gone viral, triggering widespread criticism on social media and drawing attention to concerns about police high-handedness and abuse of power.
In its official statement, the Kanpur police said:
“The ACP has been assigned to investigate the matter. During the inquiry related to the DJ board by the outpost in-charge of Heeraman Purwa ahead of the Moharram procession, a communication gap occurred, which has now been resolved through mutual dialogue in the presence of senior officers. Both parties are satisfied.”
However, the police’s claim that the matter was “resolved through dialogue” has not silenced public anger. Many are demanding strict disciplinary action against the officer involved, stressing that such behavior, particularly toward a vulnerable elderly citizen, cannot be dismissed as a mere “communication gap.”
This incident adds to a growing list of cases highlighting police misconduct in Uttar Pradesh, renewing calls for reform and better training in handling interactions with senior citizens and people with disabilities.
