Top police officer suspended over domestic violence

Madya Pradesh top cop suspended after a shocking video of him beating up his wife went viral on social media. NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma wrote to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Monday, demanding strict action against the senior police officer who is seen beating and abusing his wife in a purported video.

Bhopal: Madya Pradesh Additional Director General (ADG) rank officer Purushottam Sharma was relieved of his duties on Monday, after a shocking video of him beating up his wife went viral. The incident, caught on camera, was circulating on social media over the weekend.

The viral video showed Sharma pushing his wife to the ground and thrashing her, while two of his house staff try to pull him away. He continued hitting her, even as she cried out aloud for help.

While talking to ETV Bharat, Purushottam Sharma said, "I accept what is seen in the video but all these questions should be asked to my wife and son that why they are harassing me. If my wife wants a divorce, I am ready to give and if she wants to take legal action then also she is free to take."

"In 2008 my wife had complained against me. But the point is, since 2008 she and my son has been living in my house, enjoying all facilities and travelling abroad on my expenses." He added.

Purushottam Sharma, who has been married for 32 years, told ETV Bharat that if he has done anything wrong, then his son should say why was his mother living with him for so long. "After enjoying so much comfort in life, she has an obligation towards her family, to save its reputation," he added.

It is reported that this incident took place after the official's wife found out about his alleged extra-marital affair.

NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma wrote to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Monday, demanding strict action against the senior police officer who is seen beating and abusing his wife in a purported video.

Taking a serious note of the incident, Rekha Sharma said the crime has been reportedly committed by a very senior police officer and the matter is a serious concern for the Commission as the violence perpetrated against a woman by a senior police official conveys the wrong message to the society.

"I, therefore, urge your kind intervention in the matter and you may please ensure the person guilty of perpetrating such violence be appropriately punished to avoid recurrence of such crime," she said in the letter to Chauhan.

Chauhan has said that the DGP (prosecution) has been relieved of his duties after the video was widely shared on social media.

Purushottam Sharma's son Parth, a deputy commissioner in the Income Tax Department, had sent the video to Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra and some senior bureaucrats and requested that a complaint be registered against his father.