Instagram photographs posted by DIG Shakeel Beig’s son. From left: A man helps the DIG put on his shoes; a securityman doubles up as a caddie for DIG’s son; a man holds an umbrella for Beig.
The son of a top Jammu and Kashmir police officer has posted a series of photographs on Instagram that show his father’s apparent abuse of power. The photographs have gone viral on social networking sites, evoking angry reactions.
One of the photographs shows a man — apparently a policeman — sitting near the feet of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Jammu, Shakeel Beig and helping him put on his shoes. The caption with the photograph , posted by Beig’s son, who goes by the name Tonybeig on Instagram, says: “Real king – My Dad!! Last time he put his shoes himself was almost 15 years ago #BossLife #King xx.”
In another photograph, the DIG’s son, who is in his 20s, has given the caption: “Motivation right here! Traffic and this is how police and gunmen clear traffic when my dad is on the road! #power #king #guns.” The photograph shows a police Gypsy surrounded by armed policemen.
Another photograph shows the DIG, a recipient of President’s Police Medal this year, coming out of a building with his son, surrounded by policemen. A man behind the DIG is holding an umbrella. The caption reads: “Dad and I. #Security, #Guns and #Umbrella even when there is no sun or rain ;).”
It does not end here. Tonybeig has also posted his own picture, playing golf. In the caption, he says, “Golf with Dad before next (flight).” In this picture, an armed security man is acting as the caddie. He is holding the flag stick for the DIG’s son at a golf course.
The pictures, which are also being circulated on Facebook and WhatsApp, have received angry reactions. “Let’s throw up on these nauseating pictures. Utterly disgusting,” reads a comment on Facebook. “I for a second thought it is Saddam Hussain,” writes another Facebook user.
When contacted, DIG Beig laughed it out. “Has The Indian Express reached this level?” he asked. He then cut short the call, saying he is in a meeting and will get back later.
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A postgraduate in Bio Sciences, Beig joined Kashmir Police as a Deputy Superintendent of Police. He was later inducted into IPS. He has bagged several medals for “meritorious and distinguished” services.
Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter.
Expertise and Experience
Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development.
Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor.
Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans:
Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance.
Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley.
Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More
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Instagram photographs posted by DIG Shakeel Beig’s son. From left: A man helps the DIG put on his shoes; a securityman doubles up as a caddie for DIG’s son; a man holds an umbrella for Beig.
