Teachers being lathi-charged by police in Patna
After policemen were caught on camera thrashing a woman in Punjab and teachers in Bihar, the Supreme Court has asked the governments of both states for an explanation.
The judges said the incidents violate the human and constitutional rights of those who were attacked and have" shocked the conscience" of the entire nation.
The states have been ordered to share their response on Monday.
On Monday, a woman near Amritsar was hit over and over by two policemen. She claims they attacked her when she complained of sexual harassment by a truck driver. The police say she tried to prevent her drunk father's arrest, and agrees that its officers' behaviour was unacceptable.
In Patna yesterday, the police used batons and tear gas on teachers who were protesting outside the Bihar Assembly demanding a pay raise.