New video shows Dalit government employee at Coimbatore slapping Gounder man

The Dalit government employee who was seen in a viral video falling at the feet of a Hindu man in tears has been identified in another video from the same day slapping the same man.

The Dalit man, Muthusamy, had earlier told a media person that Gopinathan, the Hindu man in the video, visited the government office to procure land patta without holding the required documents. He claimed that Village Administrative Officer (VAO) Kalaiselvi asked Gopinathan to bring the documents, and he refused.

Muthusamy said that he intervened after Gopinathan behaved rudely with the female officer. He added that Gopinathan behaved aggressively, hurled caste slurs, and threatened to get him fired, leading him to fall at Gopinathan's feet.

On August 7, the Annur police booked Gopinathan under section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty) of IPC and under various sections of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act as per the complaint by P Muthusamy, reported The News Minute.

However, the new video suggests a different story.

Muthusamy is seen striking Gopinathan during a verbal spat. The incident took place on August 6 when Gopinathan, who hails from the Gounder community, went to the Village Administrative Officers (VAO) office in Annur. He had reportedly paid money to procure the documents related to the land patta.

In the new video, Gopinathan is seen demanding the document. And both are seen yelling at each other. Following this, Muthuswamy struck Gopinathan across the face in a fit of rage, and he fell to the ground. Kalaisevi is seen pacifying Gopinathan and giving him water. The video ends with Muthusamy and Gopinathan continuing to argue.

After the second video went viral, the district revenue officer transferred both Muthusamy and Kalaiselvi as part of the departmental action. VAO Kalaiselvi has been transferred to Kalampalayam, and VA Muthusamy has been transferred to Ambothi revenue office in Coimbatore district, reported The News Minute.

Gopinathan had earlier tried to lodge a complaint against Muthusamy at the Annur police station, but the FIR was not registered.

Coimbatore District Collector GS Sameeran had ordered an inquiry. A committee headed by District Revenue Officer (DRO) Leela Alex will carry out the probe.