Indian police publicly beat man accused of killing partner

Indian police publicly beat Faizal Lakhani, a man accused of killing his partner, after taking him to the alleged crime scene in Bhavnagar in Gujarat state, local media reported Sunday.

Police had arrested Lakhani and took him on Friday to reconstruct the incident. Footage shared widely on social media shows his arms restrained with ropes as a uniformed officer repeatedly strikes his legs and buttocks with a bamboo baton. It also shows him being beaten on his feet inside a bus terminal.

Police officer D.P. Unadkat said the beating was meant to set an example that crimes against women would be taken seriously, the Times of India reported. The Indian Express quoted Unadkat as saying such actions make suspects fear police.

Some social media users praised the beating, while others criticised it and noted that Lakhani had not been found guilty. Bhavnagar police chief Nitesh Pandey told AFP: "I have nothing to comment."

Public parading and beatings of suspects by police are not uncommon in India, despite Supreme Court rulings prohibiting such treatment.