A Special Police Officer (SPO) in Kathua district has been dismissed from service following the circulation of a video on social media that purportedly shows him demanding and accepting a bribe from a truck driver. The incident occurred at the Lakhanpur naka-checking point, a critical entry point into Jammu and Kashmir from Punjab.
The dismissed SPO has been identified as Ameer-Ul-Din. He was reportedly on duty at the Truck Terminal Point in Lakhanpur at the time of the alleged incident. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the viral video was shared with the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Lakhanpur by an unidentified individual via a social media platform. The footage allegedly depicts Ameer-Ul-Din soliciting and receiving Rs 100 from a truck driver while on duty at the checkpoint.
In an order issued by the Kathua Police, the misconduct of the SPO was described as a grave violation of discipline that tarnishes the image of the department. The order emphasized the need for exemplary action to serve as a deterrent to others. Consequently, Ameer-Ul-Din was disengaged from service with immediate effect. He has been directed to return all issued uniform articles, as well as any arms or ammunition, to either the Police Station Lakhanpur or the District Police Lines (DPL) Store in Kathua.
Beyond the dismissal of Ameer-Ul-Din, the Kathua Police have also initiated a departmental inquiry against other officials who were deployed at the same naka point. This inquiry is being conducted to investigate alleged dereliction of duty and their failure to report the misconduct of their colleague to senior officers. The officials facing inquiry include Head Constable Dhruv Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gian Chand, and Constable Shamsher Singh.
The departmental inquiry has been entrusted to the Superintendent of Police (Operations), Border & Kandi, Kathua. This officer has been tasked with conducting the inquiry in accordance with Rules 357 and 359 of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Manual. The inquiry officer is required to submit his findings, along with specific recommendations, to the competent authority at the earliest possible opportunity. The swift action taken by the Kathua Police underscores a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption within the force and aims to restore public trust.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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