Haryana Labour Minister Anil Vij took swift and decisive action on Monday by suspending Station House Officer (SHO) Satish Kumar after serious allegations were raised against him for not registering a First Information Report (FIR) related to a case presented by a complainant. The incident occurred during a public grievance session that Vij was conducting in Ambala, where the unresolved matter resurfaced, leading to the suspension of the officer.
The complainant, whose identity has not been disclosed, had earlier approached the police with a request for action but found that no progress had been made on the case. Despite Vij’s earlier instruction for the SHO to act promptly, it was revealed during the session that no FIR had been filed, causing considerable frustration for the Minister. "You have disobeyed! I told you personally to register the FIR," Vij shouted at the officer, visibly angered by the delay. He emphasized that such inaction would not be tolerated, and vowed to take further action against officials who failed to perform their duties.
The SHO, caught off guard by the outburst, attempted to explain his side of the situation. He stated that he had contacted higher authorities for guidance on the matter, but his response was not sufficient to sway Vij’s firm stance. The Minister, unwilling to entertain any further excuses, responded to a phone call during the confrontation, telling the person on the other end, "He is an SHO, and he does not listen to anyone and disturbs people, so I am putting him under suspension." The comment reflected Vij’s discontent not just with the failure to act on the FIR, but with the officer’s apparent disregard for following orders and his failure to address the public's concerns effectively.
The exchange, which occurred in front of several other officials and members of the public, was witnessed by former Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, who applauded Vij’s decisive action. Gupta praised the Minister for his prompt response, noting that such firm steps were essential to ensure that government officials remain accountable to the people they serve. Gupta expressed support for Vij’s decision, reinforcing the need for transparency and swift resolution in addressing grievances.
The complainant, who had been following up on the matter for some time, urged Vij to take immediate action to resolve the issue and ensure that justice was served. The suspension of the SHO underscored the Haryana Minister’s commitment to addressing public grievances effectively and holding law enforcement officials accountable for their roles in ensuring justice. It also sent a strong message to police officials about the consequences of failing to follow orders and neglecting their responsibilities in upholding the law.
