Rapid attachment of SDPO Gandhi Nagar to PHQ amid allegations of assault claim by one JKAS officer Mr. Azhar Khan seems hasty. With a clean record, SDPO Mr. Sunil Singh Jasrotia is seen as a disciplined officer; removing blotless police officer at break neck speed could dent morale of not only an upright officer but also men in uniform. Reports suggest that the Police organization attached Mr. Jasrotia following intervention of Civil administration which portrayed BDO as a victim-a claim further motivated in favor of civil officer by a brigade of newbie toofani media persons who act as spoilsport by recklessly circulating a CCTV footage purportedly leaked by crooked to paint police officer in offending manner.
Twist in the episode came following circulation of another viral video of a driver identified as Sh. Jeevan Sharma which sparks fresh debate: Is the BDO a victim or the villain? The accusations levelled by a hapless driver against the civil servant are serious. If, these allegations holds substantial weight then this warrants urgent attention of the government for identifying shortcomings in induction program designed for imparting training to newly recruited JKAS officers. There is no denying the fact that there have been multiple incidents in the recent past involving young, power-hungry JKAS officers who, rather than serving the public, have behaved in an authoritarian manner. Propriety demands that whether a officer belongs to police or civil department, these individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a civilized manner instead of asserting their power over vulnerable citizens on the streets.
What transpired outside Police line, Gandhi Nagar is currently under investigation; however, thrashing a poor driver followed by intimidating an on-duty police officer by exerting power of a civil servant is not only considered illegal but also serves to undermine the entire police force. For police organizations, a critical question remains: Is it fair to penalize an officer for maintaining the integrity of their uniform?
