3 Bhopal cops suspended after lawyers protest alleged assault of advocate
Synopsis
Fifty lawyers protested through the night outside a Bhopal police station after advocate Rakesh Rawal alleged he was thrown into mud and beaten with batons by officers. By Wednesday morning, three cops — including the SHO — were suspended and a seven-day inquiry ordered, even as police claimed they had footage showing the advocate misbehaved with a Traffic ACP.
Key Takeaways
SHO Rajan Singh Ahirwar and constables Yash Lakhera and Ramswaroop of Jahangirabad police station, Bhopal were suspended on 23 September 2026 .
Around 50 lawyers protested outside the police station from Tuesday night until 3 am , demanding action over the alleged assault of advocate Rakesh Rawal .
Rawal, 45 , alleged he was verbally abused, thrown into mud, and beaten with batons after being stopped near the Control Room intersection .
Police offered a counter-version, claiming Rawal verbally abused Traffic ACP Ajay Bajpai in public and that they hold video footage.
A preliminary inquiry has been ordered with a report due within seven days ; lawyers continue to demand FIR registration.
Three policemen, including SHO Rajan Singh Ahirwar of Jahangirabad police station in Bhopal, were suspended on Wednesday, 23 September, following an overnight demonstration by lawyers demanding accountability for the alleged assault of advocate Rakesh Rawal at the police station. The suspensions mark a swift official response to mounting pressure from the legal community in Madhya Pradesh.
How the Protest Unfolded
Around 50 lawyers gathered outside Jahangirabad police station on Tuesday night and continued their protest until approximately 3 am, demanding action against the officers allegedly involved in the assault. The demonstration escalated on Wednesday when a large number of advocates gathered at the Bhopal district court, raising slogans, demanding the registration of an FIR against the accused officers, and expressing solidarity with Rawal. Lawyers also circulated a video purportedly showing injury marks on Rawal's legs and mud on his clothes.
The Suspended Officers
The three suspended personnel are SHO Rajan Singh Ahirwar, constable Yash Lakhera, and constable Ramswaroop. Officials confirmed that all three have been attached to the Reserve Centre for the duration of their suspension. DCP (Zone-1) has also ordered a preliminary inquiry into the incident, with a report to be submitted within seven days.
What the Advocate Alleged
According to Rawal, 45, he was stopped by police personnel near the Control Room intersection on Tuesday night while searching for an alternative route to Bairagarh. He alleged that the officers asked him to accompany them to the police station. When he informed them that his vehicle had run out of fuel, the officers allegedly abused him verbally; when he objected, they allegedly threw him into the mud and assaulted him with batons.
Police Present a Counter-Account
Before his suspension, SHO Ahirwar alleged that Rawal had misbehaved with Traffic ACP Ajay Bajpai during the dispute and had verbally abused the officer in public despite being advised to stop. He also claimed the police held video footage of the incident. Additional Commissioner of Police Shailendra Singh Chauhan said the entire sequence of events is being examined and information is being gathered from all concerned. 'The entire sequence of events is being examined. Information regarding the matter is being collected, and further action will be taken based on the facts,' Chauhan said.
What Comes Next
The preliminary inquiry will examine the circumstances under which Rawal was stopped, his interaction with the policemen, and the subsequent events at the police station. Chauhan indicated that further action — including, potentially, the registration of an FIR — will be decided once the inquiry report is submitted within the seven-day window.
Point of View
And the counter-narrative from the police — complete with claims of video footage — sets up a contested inquiry rather than a clear accountability moment. Madhya Pradesh has seen recurring tensions between lawyers and police, and without an independent investigation mechanism, seven-day inquiry deadlines have historically produced inconclusive findings. The real test is whether the preliminary inquiry holds up its timeline and whether its findings lead to substantive action or simply administrative closure.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were three Bhopal policemen suspended on 23 September 2026?
Three policemen — SHO Rajan Singh Ahirwar and constables Yash Lakhera and Ramswaroop of Jahangirabad police station — were suspended following an overnight protest by lawyers who alleged that advocate Rakesh Rawal was assaulted at the station. The DCP (Zone-1) ordered the suspensions and initiated a preliminary inquiry.
What did advocate Rakesh Rawal allege happened to him?
Rawal, 45, alleged that police stopped him near the Control Room intersection in Bhopal on Tuesday night, took him to the police station, verbally abused him when he said his vehicle had run out of fuel, and then threw him into the mud and beat him with batons when he objected. Lawyers circulated a video purportedly showing injury marks on his legs.
What is the police's version of the incident?
Before his suspension, SHO Ahirwar alleged that Rawal had misbehaved with Traffic ACP Ajay Bajpai and verbally abused him in public despite being advised to stop. Police also claimed to have video footage of the incident, which will be examined during the preliminary inquiry.
What action have authorities taken so far?
The three officers have been suspended and attached to the Reserve Centre. DCP (Zone-1) has ordered a preliminary inquiry with a report to be submitted within seven days. Additional Commissioner of Police Shailendra Singh Chauhan said further action will follow once findings are in.
What are lawyers demanding beyond the suspensions?
Lawyers who protested at Bhopal district court on Wednesday are demanding the formal registration of an FIR against the officers allegedly involved in the assault of Rawal. They have expressed solidarity with the advocate and called for a fair investigation.
