Darbhanga: The Station House Officer (SHO) of Benta police station, Harendra Kumar, has been suspended with immediate effect following allegations of misbehavior, use of abusive language, and intimidation on a public road involving the driver of a woman doctor in Darbhanga.
The action was taken by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jagunath Reddy Jalareddy after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
The matter relates to Dr Tejaswini Pandey, granddaughter of senior city doctor Dr Sushila Thakur. Dr Pandey alleged that she was returning home with her driver when their vehicle inadvertently entered a one-way road due to unfamiliarity with the route. She was travelling from Patna to Darbhanga using Google Maps when the incident occurred amid traffic congestion near the VIP Road between Karpuri Chowk and Benta Chowk.
Allegation of Threat With Service Pistol
Dr Pandey said that the SHO created an unnecessary scene over a minor traffic violation and became aggressive. She alleged that Harendra Kumar took out his government-issued pistol, hit the car’s window with it, and pressed the gun against the back of the driver’s neck while forcibly pulling him out of the vehicle. She claimed the officer used highly abusive and indecent language, making her feel unsafe in the middle of the road.
She also questioned why, if it was a traffic violation, the matter was not handled by traffic police instead of a police station in-charge acting in such a manner.
A 30 second video of the incident has gone viral, showing the SHO verbally abusing the driver. In the clip, he is heard repeatedly saying, “Gaadi chamka raha hai, bahar nikal… Madam ho ya kuch ho, bahar nikal.”
SHO’s Defence
In his clarification, Harendra Kumar claimed that the driver tried to flee at high speed and later refused to open the car door, which made him lose his temper. He admitted that some abusive words slipped out in anger. He also alleged that the driver attempted to run him over with intent to kill. However, later only a fine was imposed on the driver and the vehicle was released.
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SSP Cites Damage to Police Image
In the suspension order, SSP Jagunath Reddy Jala Reddy stated that after reviewing the viral video, it was clear that the SHO used abusive and uncivil language while on duty, which has damaged the image of the police in the eyes of the public.
The order said such behaviour is not expected from a police officer and reflects gross negligence, arbitrariness, and indiscipline in duty. On this basis, Harendra Kumar has been placed under suspension on subsistence allowance with immediate effect.
During the suspension period, his headquarters has been fixed at the Police Centre, Darbhanga.
