Gujarat Cop Sunita Yadav Transferred For Stopping MLA's Son From Violating Lockdown

Sunita Yadav, a police constable from Surat, Gujarat, has been transferred following her confrontation with an MLA’s son and his two friends for allegedly violating the night curfew. A video of the heated argument between the cop and the MLA’s son has gone viral in which the son can be heard threatening the cop.

The incident happened on Wednesday, July 2020 around 10:30 pm. Reportedly, friends of Gujarat Health Minister Kumar Kanani’s son Prakash were driving around in Surat violating night curfew imposed in the state to contain coronavirus spread. None of them was wearing a mask either. Sunita Yadav was posted on bandobast duty on that night. When she confronted them for breaking the lockdown rules, they called Prakash who later arrived at the spot in his father’s car. Prakash had a heated argument with the constable where he bragged about his political power that can affect the cop’s job.

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An audio of the argument has gone viral on social media. In the audio, Prakash can be heard saying that he can make the cop stand at the same place for 365 days using his political power. The cop replied by asserting that she wasn’t a slave of their fathers that they can treat her as they wish. Later on, she also called up her senior inspector at Varachha Police Station at the same time and complained that the people were threatening her for stopping them from breaking the lockdown rules.

Since the matter concerned the politicians, the senior inspector immediately ordered her to leave the place. Later, Yadav who was posted at the Varachha Police Station was transferred to the police headquarters.

As the incident has sparked a controversy on social media on how politics controls the police system, and following outrage Surat Commissioner of Police RB Brahmbhatt has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

“The audio clip came to the notice of the police commissioner. He has asked ACP (A-Division) C.K. Patel to conduct an inquiry. Action will be based on the inquiry report,” Assistant Commissioner of Police, PL Chaudhary told India Today.

Consequently, Prakash and his two friends were arrested on Sunday. They were found guilty under IPC Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269, 270 (negligent and malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), and 144 (abettor present when offence committed), as told by C.K. Patel, Assistant Commissioner of Police to The Hindu

However, they were later released on bail. And, the cop has gone on sick leave after the incident. According to India Today, she has given her resignation from her job.

The incident and the constable's alleged resignation has attracted a lot of engagement on social media. Many personalities like Bollywood actor Swara Bhaskar and Tapsee Pannu, are appreciating Yadav for her sense of duty and condemning the police authority for getting her transferred despite the fact that she was just trying to do her job.

"Why was an honest courageous & fearless police officer like #SunitaYadav compelled to resign for taking a principled stand against violators of law? We need to stand by her, raise our voice, make some noise & see to it that she is reinstated," tweeted Shivani Chopra , vice president of INC Delhi.

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Moreover, the Indian Police Foundation also stood in support of Sunita Yadav and tweeted, "Every police officer takes an oath of allegiance to the constitution of India, swearing to enforce the law strictly, without fear or favour. When a policewoman discharges her duty with dignity, it is the duty of her supervisors to stand with her."