Punjab police has asked all the SSPs and commissioners in state to ensure that all the reels of police officials with police emblems are deleted within next 24 hours. Referring to the petitions CWP-PIL No. 187 of 2020 and CWP-PIL No. 188 of 2020 Titled as "NIKhil Saraf Vs. State of Punjab and others", office of DIG State cyber crime issued a letter to all the district heads to compile with the order. The Indian Express had highlighted in its report that how many influencers in police force were uploading reels in uniform with official emblem with Punjabi songs playing in background. Such reels were in violation of earlier directions to the force against the unauthorized use of the police emblem on social media and modelling in uniform. “It is informed that various pages/accounts/handles/reels on social media platforms have been created/uploaded by various police officials in police uniform by unauthorized use of official emblem of Punjab Police. No one should create such pages/accounts/handles and upload photos of pelf or others or senior officers in uniform, without prior approval from appropriare authority,” reads the letter. It further says, “In view of above, you are requested to identify the users and Police personnel of these pages/accounts/handles/reels and direct them to delete these pages/accounts/handles/reeis within 24 hrs of notiying them.” DIG has also asked to share action taken report. Some police officials have already deleted such reels from their Instagram accounts.
