DEHRADUN: A suspended Uttarakhand Police constable triggered a major controversy on Friday after appearing in uniform at a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, announcing his resignation from the force and extending support to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
A video of constable Sher Singh, formerly posted in Pithoragarh district, making the announcement from the protest stage has gone viral on social media. CJP founder Abhijit Dipke was present beside him when he declared his decision.
"When the country itself is in danger, what will I do with this job? I have left the Uttarakhand Police to protect the 'cockroaches'," Singh is heard saying in the video.
Addressing the gathering, the suspended constable also alleged irregularities in Uttarakhand's recruitment examinations. He claimed that question papers for the state's Patwari recruitment examination were being "sold at grocery shops". The allegation could not be independently verified.
Quoting revolutionary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, he said, "Young people of the country, life is lived on one's own strength; it is only funeral processions that are carried on the shoulders of others."
Singh then removed the brass insignia bearing the words "Uttarakhand Police" from his uniform and handed them to Dipke. The CJP founder welcomed the constable's decision from the stage.
The viral video caused a stir within the Uttarakhand Police establishment, prompting senior officers to seek details about Singh's present status and examine whether a suspended employee is legally permitted to wear the police uniform at a public or political demonstration.
Inspector General of Police, Kumaon Range, Nivedita Kukreti, said in a video statement that Singh had been absent from duty without authorisation since June 28 and was placed under suspension on July 20.
"He had been absent without authorisation since June 28 and was suspended on July 20. An FIR had also been registered against him earlier, and he had previously been sent to jail," Kukreti said.
Police sources said the department's top brass was seeking legal opinion on initiating further action against Singh. Officials are examining whether his participation in the protest while wearing the official uniform amounts to misconduct or attracts criminal liability.
The department may register a fresh case and initiate stringent disciplinary proceedings after receiving legal advice, sources added.
Police are also verifying whether Singh submitted a formal resignation or merely announced it from the stage, as a public declaration does not by itself terminate his service.
