The Madhya Pradesh government and state police faced backlash from the Opposition Congress on Monday (September 16, 2024), following the release of a viral video showing a police officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Vinod Mishra, tearing off his uniform during an argument with BJP leader Arjun Gupta, the husband of councillor Gauri Gupta, inside the Baidhan police station in Singrauli district.
CCTV Footage Reveals the Incident
The CCTV footage, leaked from the station in-charge’s office, shows officers attempting to calm the escalating situation between ASI Vinod Mishra and BJP leader Arjun Gupta. The disagreement stemmed from a conflict over the construction of a drain near Mishra’s residence. At one point during the argument, Mishra suddenly began tearing off his shirt, cap, and belt, while other officers tried to pacify both him and Gupta.
According to the police, this incident occurred in February 2024, and disciplinary action has since been taken against ASI Mishra. His annual increment was halted by an order from Superintendent of Police (SP) Nivedita Gupta, following an internal inquiry.
Context of the Dispute
An officer from Baidhan police station revealed that the argument erupted when Arjun Gupta allegedly made a remark suggesting that Mishra’s uniform could be taken away, which reportedly agitated the ASI. As seen in the video, Mishra reacted by tearing off his uniform and continuing to shout while other officers tried to intervene.
Police Response and Inquiry
Singrauli Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shiv Kumar Verma stated that the inquiry, led by SP Nivedita Gupta, resulted in action against Mishra. “The SP ordered disciplinary measures, halting Mishra’s annual increment for his actions,” Verma said.
When questioned about whether any action was taken against BJP leader Arjun Gupta, ASP Verma responded, “I am unaware if Mishra filed any formal complaint. This is a separate issue, and we will look into it if needed.”
Opposition Criticism
The Congress Party quickly seized the opportunity to criticize the state government over the incident. Sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter), Congress expressed outrage, claiming that the threats from BJP leader Arjun Gupta drove the ASI to such extreme behaviour.
The Congress post read: “The level of policing in the state has reached zero! Crime is out of control, criminals are fearless, and the police are helpless in some places and under pressure in others.”
SP’s Statement and Further Investigations
SP Nivedita Gupta addressed the matter, explaining that an old land dispute between the parties was uncovered during the investigation. She acknowledged Mishra’s health issues, stating that his blood pressure had spiked during the argument. Nevertheless, she emphasized that the officer’s behaviour was unacceptable. “I took action based on the facts presented in the investigation. The uniform must be respected, regardless of personal pressures,” Gupta said.
A separate investigation has been launched to determine how the CCTV footage was leaked to the public.
Congress Slams BJP’s Law and Order Failures
The Congress also used the opportunity to criticize Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, calling for his resignation as the head of the Home Department. The party has raised concerns about law and order in the state, citing several recent cases of police misconduct, violence against marginalized communities, and the mishandling of sensitive issues.
“How will the public receive justice when the police themselves are forced to tear off their uniforms due to threats from BJP leader Arjun Gupta?” the Congress questioned, pointing to the deteriorating state of law enforcement under BJP governance.
Conclusion
As the video continues to go viral, the incident has sparked widespread debate about the state of policing in Madhya Pradesh. With disciplinary action taken against ASI Mishra and ongoing investigations into the leak, the state government remains under pressure to address the concerns raised by both the public and the Opposition.
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