Patna: An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) posted at Athmalgola police station in Patna district was suspended on Wednesday after a video showing him interacting with a complainant while wearing only a towel went viral on social media.The suspended officer has been identified as ASI Anjani Kumar. The incident occurred at Athmalgola police station under Barh subdivision on July 14.According to police officials, Patna Rural SP Kundan Kumar received the viral video on WhatsApp on the night of July 14. The footage allegedly showed the ASI standing at the officer-on-duty (OD) desk in a semi-nude state without wearing the prescribed police uniform.Following the video’s circulation, an inquiry was ordered and CCTV footage of the police station was examined. The probe found that at around 10am on July 14, a complainant had visited the police station in connection with a case. At about 10.11am, ASI Anjani Kumar came to the OD desk from inside the premises without wearing proper uniform, collected some documents from another applicant and returned inside at 10.13am.Officials said the time and location seen in the viral video matched the CCTV footage. The inquiry report submitted to the Rural SP noted that a police officer’s presence before members of the public without the prescribed uniform and while dressed only in a lungi, without upper clothing, violated standards of police discipline, decorum and professional conduct.“The conduct adversely affects the dignity and image of the police department and undermines public trust in the force,” the SP said.Based on the inquiry findings, Anjani Kumar was suspended with immediate effect on charges of indiscipline, arbitrariness, doubtful conduct and tarnishing the image of the police department. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated against him.
