The Uttar Pradesh Police has come under sharp criticism and online ridicule after a video from Ghaziabad went viral, showing a police official appearing to “scan” people by touching their backs with a mobile phone during a citizenship verification drive.
The visuals, which surfaced on social media this week, prompted widespread debate, with users comparing the act to a supermarket barcode scanner and questioning the scientific basis and sensitivity of the method used by the police.
Viral clip triggers public backlash
In the video, a police personnel is seen holding a mobile phone close to a person’s back, leading many online to mock the scene and demand an explanation from authorities. Several users described the act as humiliating and unprofessional, while others questioned whether any such technology exists for identifying nationality.
The incident reportedly occurred during a local verification drive conducted in the area as part of routine checks.
Residents recount verification process
Speaking to NDTV, Roshni Khatun, who appeared in the viral clip and is the sister-in-law of the man seen being “scanned”, said police personnel led by the local Station House Officer visited their locality on December 23.
“They asked us to show our documents for verification. We showed our Aadhaar cards and other legal documents,” she said.
Roshni alleged that police officials jokingly claimed they had a machine that could identify whether a person was from Bangladesh.
“There was no machine. They touched the back of my brother-in-law with their hands while holding the phone. Nobody threatened or abused us,” she added.
Family says documents were checked
Roshni said her family has been living in the area since 1986 and originally hails from Araria district in Bihar. Her mother-in-law, Rabila, also confirmed the account.
“They told us that scanning the back would immediately reveal if a person was Bangladeshi. We showed all our documents, and after checking them, the police left,” she said.
According to the family, two such verification drives have been conducted in the locality in recent days, and on both occasions police left after examining documents.
Police yet to clarify
As of Thursday, Ghaziabad police have not issued any official clarification regarding the viral video or the conduct of the personnel involved. The incident has intensified conversations around the need for dignity, transparency and clear communication during verification exercises.