J&K Administration Orders Suspension Of Senior Cop For 'Slapping' Officer

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday ordered the suspension of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for allegedly assaulting an administrative officer on duty.

The confrontation between DSP Sunil Singh and Block Development Officer (BDO) Azhar Khan took place after a violation of traffic rules. 

Khan was allegedly abused and assaulted by Singh on Monday in the Gandhinagar area when his vehicle, being driven on the wrong side, hit a van, causing a traffic jam.

A purported video of the incident showed a police officer allegedly slapping the JKAS officer. The policeman was transferred after widespread criticism from the public and political leaders.

"In terms of Rule 31(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification Control & Appeal) Rules, 1956 and pending enquiry in the matter, Sunil Singh, DSP, the then Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, is hereby placed under suspension, with immediate effect," Principal Secretary to the government, Home Department, Chandraker Bharti said in an order here.

The order said that during the period of his suspension, he shall remain attached with the police headquarters, J-K. Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat ordered his immediate transfer on Monday.

As per an official order, Singh was to report to the police headquarters in Jammu, while DySP Kuljit Singh was posted as SDPO Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, with immediate effect.

The video drew widespread condemnation, including the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services Association, which demanded action against the police officer.

However, a longer video of the incident purportedly showed the JKAS officer hitting a van while driving on the wrong side of the road. A heated exchange was seen between the two officers.

The video has prompted criticism of the JKAS officer, too, with many on social media calling for action against the JKAS officer.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)