Aquarium shop owner Niranjan, who was allegedly assaulted by deputy superintendent of police Ramanand Kaushal, at Patna Medical College and Hospital on Sunday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) was roughed up by a mob for allegedly trying to assault an elderly woman after beating up her son at Machhua Toli under Kadamkaun police station on Sunday afternoon.

The officer, Ramanand Kaushal, is posted at Bagha in West Champaran district. Sources said an altercation broke out between the DSP and the woman’s son, Niranjan Patel, who runs an aquarium shop at Machua Toli.

The sources said the DSP had a few days ago asked Niranjan to make a lid of an aquarium and had used a thread to give its measurement. Based on the specifications, Niranjan made the lid, which, however, turned out to be smaller than the size ordered by Kaushal.

The sources said the disagreement between the two was over the size of the aquarium cover.

“The DSP and his bodyguard started beating up Niranjan and dragged him all the way to Dinkar roundabout. The two continued to beat up Niranjan mercilessly with bamboo sticks at Dinkar roundabout. They then dragged the trader all the way to Machua Toli again,” a source said.

Once they reached Machua Toli, Niranjan’s mother, who was waiting near her son’s shop, objected to the DSP’s action. This led to further altercation between Kaushal and the woman.

“It was then that Kaushal tried to attack her. This action of the officer infuriated the crowd that had by then gathered in the area. They attacked the officer and his bodyguard. Sensing trouble, the DSP fled the spot, along with his bodyguard, firing in the air from his service revolver,” the source said.

An officer at Kadamkaun police station said: “A cross-complaint has been registered on the basis of the account of both the parties — the DSP and Niranjan.”

Patna senior superintendent of police Amrit Raj said he was unaware of the incident. He added: “If such an incident has actually happened, there will be a proper investigation.”

This is not the first time that a senior police officer had to face people’s wrath for being arrogant while dealing with the public. In February this year, Patna City superintendent of police Kim had to face public wrath in the Kankerbagh area after she allegedly slapped a woman. The issue had then snowballed into a major controversy and even chief minister Nitish Kumar apologised for the SP’s action.