Maharajganj: A 33-year-old Uttar Pradesh Police head constable allegedly attempted suicide by consuming a poisonous substance following a dispute with his seniors over firecrackers seized during Diwali celebrations. The incident has prompted an inquiry into his allegations of harassment and irregularities in the handling of the confiscated firecrackers.
Head constable Vishal Singh, posted at Nichlaul police station in Maharajganj district, was found unconscious on the police station premises late on Sunday night. He was initially taken to a government hospital and subsequently shifted to a private hospital for further treatment. According to police, his condition is improving.
The incident came to light after Singh allegedly posted a WhatsApp status accusing his Station House Officer (SHO), Yogendra Rai, and other police personnel of harassing him over the seized firecrackers. The allegations, which were reported by news agency Press Trust of India (PTI), have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the seizure and subsequent handling of the material.
Head constable alleges irregularities in seized firecrackers
In the WhatsApp note posted before the incident, Singh alleged that around 40 per cent of the firecrackers seized by the police had been taken away. He further claimed that some of the remaining stock was handed over to a person accused in the case, identified as Kausman Ali.
According to Singh’s allegations, the distribution of the remaining firecrackers took place under pressure from SHO Yogendra Rai. The head constable also claimed that he was subjected to humiliation after being accused of stealing the seized material.
The allegations suggest that Singh’s dispute with his seniors was linked not only to the handling of the confiscated firecrackers but also to the accusations allegedly levelled against him within the police station.
However, the claims made in the WhatsApp status have not been independently verified. The police inquiry is expected to examine the allegations and establish what happened to the seized firecrackers.
Several police personnel and BJP MLA named in note
Singh reportedly named several people in his WhatsApp status, accusing them of harassing him. Those mentioned included SHO Yogendra Rai, constables Manish Singh and Anand Singh, BJP MLA Premsagar Patel, Vishal Yadav, Bholu Yadav and Alok Sharma.
The head constable also alleged that a policeman identified as Vishal Sharma had recorded a video on his mobile phone showing the alleged distribution of the firecrackers.
The note has brought several individuals under scrutiny, although the allegations against them remain unverified. No immediate responses were available from those named in the message.
PTI reported that no response could be obtained from Premsagar Patel, the BJP MLA representing the Siswa Assembly constituency. The responses of the other individuals named in the note were also not immediately available.
The police have not publicly established whether the alleged distribution took place or whether any personnel were involved in the reported irregularities. These questions are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.
Police confirm inquiry into allegations
Nichlaul Circle Officer Ravindra Kumar Singh confirmed that an investigation was underway following the incident. He said the head constable had been experiencing mental distress.
The officer indicated that further action would depend on the findings of the inquiry. “Further action will be taken after completion of the inquiry,” he said.
The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances in which the firecrackers were seized, how the confiscated material was stored and whether any irregularities occurred during its handling. It will also need to look into Singh’s allegations of harassment and the accusations that he was humiliated by colleagues and senior officers.
The inquiry will be important in determining whether the dispute was limited to an internal disagreement or involved misconduct in the handling of seized property.
Incident raises questions about police accountability
The incident has drawn attention to the treatment of police personnel who raise complaints against colleagues or senior officers. While Singh’s allegations are yet to be established, the circumstances surrounding his alleged suicide attempt make an impartial investigation important.
The claims concerning the seized firecrackers also require examination. If any material was improperly removed or distributed, the inquiry will need to identify those responsible and determine whether established procedures were violated.
At the same time, the allegations against the SHO, constables, the BJP MLA and other individuals named in the WhatsApp note should not be treated as proven without supporting evidence.
Singh remains under medical treatment and is reportedly recovering. The police have said that further action will follow the completion of the investigation.
The findings of the inquiry are likely to clarify the dispute over the seized firecrackers and establish whether the head constable’s allegations of harassment and irregularities have any basis.