Chatra: A purported video showing an altercation between Itkhori circle officer (CO) Savita Singh and two men, and the officer beating them with a stick during Itkhori Mahotsav on Feb 20, went viral on social media on Sunday, triggering a debate over the public conduct of officials. In the video, Singh was seen beating Nitish Kumar Dangi of Itkhori and Aman Kumar Sinha of Paroka village and verbally abusing them. Both were arrested on Feb 21 after an FIR was registered against them for allegedly creating a ruckus and misbehaving with the officer. The video also shows two police personnel trying to push one of the men into a police vehicle, while Singh is seen hitting him from behind with a stick. Singh claimed that the men were drunk and and were obstructing her vehicle while also making objectionable remarks. “They threw juice on me as I stepped out of my vehicle,” she said. However, relatives of the accused said it was the fallout of a land mutation case. They said they filed a complaint in in the court of chief judicial magistrate in Chatra against Singh. After the video surfaced, some people questioned whether a govt official has the authority to use abusive language or force during such situations, especially when police personnel were reportedly present at the spot. The issue gained political attention after former chief minister and leader of opposition Babulal Marandi demanded action. “Officials holding administrative positions are expected to act with restraint, sensitivity, and strictly within the framework of law,” he wrote on a social media platform. Marandi urged Chatra deputy commissioner Kirtishiree G to immediately suspend Singh and register an FIR. However, the district administration has not yet issued any statement regarding the video.
