Seven cops suspended in Bahraich over alleged harassment, negligence

Superintendent of Police (SP) Ram Nayan Singh has suspended seven police personnel, including the in-charge of a police outpost, over allegations of indiscipline, negligence and harassment of the public. The suspension comes after an incident at the Jalim Nagar police outpost, located near the Lakhimpur district border, within the jurisdiction of Motipur Police Station.

On the night of January 2-3, a truck crashed into the outpost, causing significant damage, according to police sources. A case was filed, and an investigation was launched into the matter.

On Friday, Inspector General of Police (Devi Patan Division) Amit Pathak, along with the Bahraich SP, inspected the site. The inspection revealed irregularities in the conduct of police personnel at the outpost. Preliminary findings raised suspicions about their behaviour, leading to the immediate suspension of seven officers, including outpost in-charge Dinesh Bahadur.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Durga Prasad Tiwari confirmed the investigation found the police personnel at Jalim Nagar had unnecessarily harassed the truck driver as well as the owner after the accident. "The role of the police is to assist the public, not to create additional trouble," Tiwari said. "Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were ignored in this case and the driver and owner were unduly troubled."

The investigation is ongoing.