Cop of 2015 batch suspended after viral video alleging extortion by IPS officers

Lucknow: A 2015-batch constable posted in the Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow has been suspended after he uploaded a viral Facebook video accusing senior IPS officers and police officials of running an alleged extortion racket linked to duty postings and deployment assignments.

The suspension came shortly after additional director general (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash issued statewide directions to all police units to submit monthly reports detailing disciplinary action taken against police personnel violating the department’s social media policy.

The constable, identified as Sunil Kumar Shukla, levelled serious allegations against senior police officers in the video and demanded a high-level probe into the alleged corruption network operating within the reserve police lines.

Addressing chief minister Yogi Adityanath in the video, Shukla alleged that policemen were forced to pay money every month in exchange for favourable duty assignments and deployment. He claimed that a systematic chain of illegal collections operated from senior IPS officers down to reserve inspectors, calculation in-charges and guard commanders.

Using sharp remarks against senior officials, the constable alleged that IPS officers were functioning like “black British rulers” and exploiting lower-rank personnel through a “zamindari-style extortion system”.

According to Shukla, constables and clerical staff allegedly had to pay around Rs 2,000 every month to guard commanders for allocation of duties.

Taking serious note of the viral video, DCP (Lines) Anil Kumar Yadav had ordered a departmental inquiry into the allegations and the conduct of the constable on May 8 when the first video was made viral. The probe has been assigned to the ACP, crime against women.

Police officials confirmed that Shukla was on leave when he recorded and uploaded the video. Officials also stated that his wife is employed in the police department.

The controversy erupted amid a fresh crackdown by the UP Police headquarters on social media violations by police personnel.

Police said further action in the matter would depend on the findings of the inquiry report.