U.P. police gives clean chit to Sambhal CO over “controversial” remark

Representative image. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Uttar Pradesh police have exonerated Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Choudhary of any wrongdoing following allegations related to his remarks made during Holi and Eid celebrations. However, complainant Amitabh Thakur, a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has criticised the state government for what he termed as “shielding” the officer despite alleged violations of the Police Conduct Rules.

Mr. Thakur, a 1992-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, expressed discontent with the inquiry report, stating it overlooked what he described as “ample evidence” in the public domain. “The inquiry report submitted by the Superintendent of Police (Law and Order), U.P., giving a clean chit to Mr. Choudhary despite clear evidence of his statement breaching service rules, indicates the Director General of Police (DGP) is endorsing the political orientation of the ruling dispensation,” Mr. Thakur told TheHindu. He further alleged that senior officials had previously supported the officer’s remarks and accused the DGP of protecting Mr. Choudhary in violation of his constitutional oath.

The report, dated April 16 and prepared by SP (Law and Order) Manoj Kumar Awasthi, concluded that no credible evidence was found during the inquiry into Mr. Thakur’s complaint. The findings were subsequently submitted by Inspector General (Law and Order) L.R. Kumar to the Special Secretary, Home, on April 17.

The inquiry cited statements from two individuals, Jitendra Verma and Mohammad Yasin, who attested to a peaceful law-and-order situation during Holi and Friday prayers. They reportedly praised Mr. Choudhary’s efforts in maintaining communal harmony.

Responding to the controversy, Mr. Choudhary maintained that his remarks were misrepresented by certain individuals seeking political mileage. “Some people falsely linked my comments to a particular religion for their own benefit,” he said.

The remarks in question were made on March 6 at a peace committee meeting held at Sambhal Kotwali police station. Mr. Choudhary had allegedly said, “The festival of colours comes once a year, while Friday [namaz] occurs 52 times. I advise my Muslim brothers, who believe that colours on them while going for namaz is inappropriate, to remain indoors until the Holi celebrations subside.”

The statement triggered sharp criticism, though Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath later defended the officer, stating that Mr. Choudhary may have spoken “as a pehalwan [wrestler].”