Bhind, Aug. 17 — A Sikh family from the United Kingdom was pelted with stones in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district after a dispute with a policeman, leaving two children with injuries and triggering protests from the local Sikh community.
The incident occurred on August 14 near Fatehpur village in Gohad tehsil, when the family’s car was attacked on Station Road. The vehicle’s windows were shattered, and two children inside sustained bruises.
Following the attack, members of the Sikh community staged protests, including outside the Gohad Chauraha police station, demanding the registration of an FIR against constable Kuldeep Kushwaha and the transfer of the station house officer. The agitation was withdrawn only after superintendent of police Asit Yadav assured demonstrators of “strict action after a fair investigation.”
Karan Singh, a local Sikh community leader, said, “We called off the protest after the SP gave us assurances. The demand for accountability remains.”
SP Yadav said constable Kushwaha was sent to the police lines but denied claims that the move was linked to complaints made by the family to embassy officials in Delhi. “The two children sustained only bruises. The constable was not directly involved in the incident. First, we will register an FIR against unidentified people who indulged in the act. Action will be taken on the basis of further investigation,” Yadav said.
The SP described the stone-pelting as an attempt to stop the family’s car rather than a targeted assault. “This is a rash and negligent act. They threw stones to stop the vehicle, which resulted in its windows getting damaged, as well as injuries to those inside. It was not an attack. It was a miscommunication between the two (the NRI and the policeman). Both had a heated argument. The two sides did not know each other. I have spoken to the NRI family,” he added.
Local Congress MLA Keshav Desai, who joined the protesters, backed the family’s demands and said he would push for stronger action. “Dr. Vikramjeet Singh, his wife Rajveer Kaur, daughter Ravneet Kaur and son Rohanpreet Singh came to Fatehpur village on August 14. Fatehpur is Rajveer Kaur’s native village. Kushwaha, dressed in civil clothes, argued with them while their car was parked on Station Road to buy fruits and sweets,” Desai said.
Police said efforts are underway to identify those who hurled stones at the car, and further action will follow the investigation’s outcome.
