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The Station House Officer of Barsoi police station in Bihar’s Katihar district was suspended on Monday after an inquiry was initiated following the emergence of CCTV footage purportedly showing him arguing with a brother and sister at a local restaurant.
The incident took place on the evening of October 24 at BR-11 Restaurant, where the officer approached the two siblings and a third man who was sitting with them during routine checks related to the upcoming Bihar Assembly election, police said.
In the CCTV video, the SHO is purportedly heard asking one of the men, “Who is this sitting with you?” When he replies, “She is my sister,” the officer appears to raise his voice and accuses him of “talking back”. The man responds, “You asked, so I just told you that she is my sister.” The exchange quickly escalates into a heated argument between the officer and the two men, during which the woman started recording the confrontation with her phone camera.
At one point, the officer instructs the woman to “turn off that camera” and tells the man, “Watch your tone”. The SHO’s conduct drew criticism after the video was circulated on social media.
Police sources said an investigation into the matter found that the SHO “used indecent language” and behaved in a manner that tarnished the image of the police force.
A senior police officer in Katihar said, “A CCTV video was received in which, on October 24, the Barsoi Station House Officer was seen arguing with individuals at BR-11 Restaurant, Barsoi Ras Chowk. The matter was investigated by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), Katihar. It was found that the SHO used indecent language and behaved in a negligent and arbitrary manner, thereby tarnishing the image of the police force. Immediate suspension has been ordered, and further action is underway.”
Earlier, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Barsoi had said that hotel and restaurant checks were being carried out as part of election-related vigilance.
Some police personnel had claimed they received information about the presence of suspected anti-social elements at the restaurant where the incident took place, and that the questioning escalated after unsatisfactory responses and alleged use of inappropriate language by both sides.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against the suspended SHO.
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