FIR against ex-MLA for tarnishing image of UP police

An FIR has been lodged against ex- MLA Bhagwan Sharma alias Guddu Pandit alleging that the notice issued to the minister for flouting lockdown norms by the district police was circulated by the minister in order to tarnish the image of the law enforcement agency.

Bulandhshar: Days after UP police triggered a row after a notice issued to former MLA Bhagwan Sharma alias Guddu Pandit for flouting lockdown norms was mistaken as a general notification, an FIR has been lodged against the minister alleging that the notice was circulated by him in order to tarnish the image of the law enforcement agency.

The complaint has been filed by Ram Babu Singh in connection with the notice that was issued by the officer in-charge of the Bulandhshar City Circle outpost to the minister, who was "luring" migrant labourers with the promise of food and water.

The notice, dated May 11 sparked controversy after it was widely being circulated on social media, being mistaken for a general notification, which led many to believe that they were not allowed to feed migrants. The notice warned of legal action under the Epidemic Diseases Act if lockdown rules are broken.

However, SSP Bulandshahr Santosh Kumar Singh issued a clarification via a video message. Singh said the notice was issued specifically to Sharma, who has already been booked more than five times for breaking lockdown rules and flouting social distancing norms.

The ex-MLA had been gathering migrant labourers at his house with the promise of food and water, which were leading to flouting of social distancing rules, he said.

The cop added that the notice was being taken out of context and being shared on social media without the name of the person in order to tarnish the image of the police. Singh also said that several individuals and social workers have been helping migrants by providing them with food, and the police appreciated their efforts.

However, the notice stuck outside Sharma's residence reportedly did not have any name mentioned on it. Further, the officer-in-charge has reportedly been sent to the police lines for not mentioning the name on the notice, while the circle officer has also been asked to provide an explanation.