Two SHOs suspended over viral video of cops’ frisking

Patna: Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma on Sunday suspended SHOs of Panchmahla and Hathidah police stations, Kundan Kumar and Ranjan Kumar, respectively, on charges of gross negligence and indiscipline.The action was taken after a viral video showed policemen being frisked by supporters of the infamous Sonu-Monu gang before entering their house in Nauranga Jalalpur village.The incident occurred on Saturday evening in Nauranga Jalalpur village under Panchmahla police station area. A notorious criminal from the Sonu-Monu gang allegedly opened fire on Mukesh Singh, husband of the local sarpanch and PACS chairman, who is also a strong supporter of JD(U) MLA Anant Singh. Mukesh narrowly escaped the attack.The clash originated from a social media post of Mukesh around two days ago. Following a police raid in the area, he praising the police on social media, stating that the rule of law would now prevail and goons would be eliminated. This post angered Pramod Singh, father of Sonu and Monu and a local lawyer. On Saturday evening, Pramod confronted Mukesh over the post, leading to a heated argument between the two.Ram Krishna, SDPO-I of Barh, said during the altercation, Sonu arrived at the spot along with five supporters. “In the ensuing clash, Sonu’s associate Saurav allegedly fired two rounds at Mukesh. Based on the Mukesh’s complaint, police registered an FIR against Sonu, Monu and others. Soon after the FIR was lodged, police teams from Panchmahla and Hathidah stations reached the residence of the accused. By then, both brothers had fled the spot,” he said.The SDPO told TOI on Sunday that family members, including women, initially resisted the police’s entry. “After arguments at the gate, the women and gang supporters allegedly forced the policemen to undergo a physical search before allowing them inside the house. Videos of the incident that went viral on social media show policemen standing in a queue and being frisked by the gang’s supporters. It is also alleged that a woman from the house handed a phone to one of the station in charges, on which Monu spoke directly to the officer. The episode has drawn sharp criticism and severely dented the image of the police force,” Krishna said.Sonu and Monu have a long history of rivalry with Anant Singh’s group. In the previous Nauranga firing incident on Jan 22, 2025, multiple rounds were exchanged between the two sides in the same village, after which Anant Singh and his brothers were sent to jail. Police have now intensified searches to nab the absconding duo. Further investigation into the case is underway.Regarding the police search, deputy CM Vijay Choudhary said, “If anyone misbehaves with the police, we have seen the consequences. The police will take action against them, they will be held accountable.”