An Unprecedented Case from the Uttar Pradesh Police Department
An astonishing case has come to light from the police department in Uttar Pradesh, where a law enforcement officer has seemingly decided to trade his uniform for electoral politics. Based in Gorakhpur, a constable attached to the Dial-112 service has allegedly flouted all departmental norms by engaging in active politics while remaining unauthorizedly absent from duty. Not only has he avoided reporting to work, but he has also been actively participating in political rallies and meetings of a major opposition party.
The local administration and senior police authorities have taken serious note of the incident, initiating a comprehensive departmental inquiry. The episode highlights severe indiscipline and raises questions regarding accountability within the lower ranks of the police force, prompting swift administrative action.
Background of the Accused Constable
The central figure in this controversy is identified as Shyam Sundar Chauhan, a native of Naina Jhala village under the Mahuli police station jurisdiction in Sant Kabir Nagar district. Chauhan belongs to the 1994 batch of the Uttar Pradesh Police force. Following his transfer from Kushinagar in 2023, he was posted to the Dial-112 unit in Gorakhpur, where his professional trajectory allegedly took a political turn.
Instead of fulfilling his duties, Chauhan reportedly shifted his focus toward the Dhanghata assembly constituency in Sant Kabir Nagar, preparing the groundwork for a political career. Over recent months, his presence at local party meetings and gatherings became increasingly conspicuous, culminating in public speeches delivered in party attire.
Suspension and Disregard for Departmental Rules
According to police records, Chauhan remained absent from his official duties for an extended period without prior sanction or intimation. Upon discovering this prolonged absence, senior officials suspended him from service approximately three months ago. Standard protocol mandates that a suspended employee must report to the designated police line during the pendency of a departmental inquiry.
However, Chauhan reportedly ignored the directive to report at the police line. Instead, he continued his political outreach, attending events such as booth-level reviews organized by the Samajwadi Party. Photographs showing him wearing the party's signature red cap and addressing crowds have widely circulated on social media platforms.
Political Ambitions and Aspirations for Candidacy
When questioned about his actions, Chauhan openly articulated his political ambitions, stating that he has long been inspired by the policies of the Samajwadi Party. He claimed that working within the police framework restricted his ability to serve the public adequately, leading him to seek a transition into active electoral politics.
"I felt that remaining within the police department did not allow me to deliver proper justice and assistance to the common people. Therefore, I chose to enter politics. If the party considers me for a ticket from Sant Kabir Nagar, I am ready to serve the public." — Shyam Sundar Chauhan, Suspended Constable
Chauhan asserted that he has maintained grassroots connections in the constituency for the past three years, nursing ambitions to contest the upcoming assembly elections under the SP banner.
Violation of Government Servant Conduct Rules
Legal and administrative experts note that Chauhan's actions constitute a direct violation of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1956. The regulations explicitly prohibit government employees from participating in political activities, joining political parties, or engaging in electoral campaigns while in service.
The blatant disregard for these established norms has drawn sharp criticism from administrative circles, reinforcing the necessity of strict disciplinary oversight within the uniformed services.
Strict Inquiry Ordered by SSP Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr. Kaustubh confirmed that disciplinary proceedings are well underway. The inquiry, currently being spearheaded by the SP Crime, aims to examine not only the constable's unauthorized absence but also potential lapses in the local attendance tracking system that allowed the absence to persist unchecked.
Authorities have reiterated that strict legal and departmental consequences will follow the conclusion of the investigation, ensuring that accountability is firmly established within the force.
