A Station House Officer (SHO) of a women's police station in eastern Uttar Pradesh's Mau district has been transferred following a major controversy. The action came after a video of the officer stopping a young girl and her brother at a temple park and advising her against venturing out without a guardian went viral on social media.
The Viral Incident at Sheetla Temple Park
The incident occurred at the Sheetla temple park in Mau district. The police officer, Manju Singh, who was the SHO of the 'mahila thana', was conducting an inspection as part of a women's safety awareness drive. During this, she encountered a young man and two girls who had traveled from the neighboring Ghazipur district.
Officer Singh reportedly suspected a relationship between the trio. She contacted the girl's father to verify their identities. Initially, she refused to accept that the young man was the girl's brother. However, a phone conversation with the father eventually confirmed they were siblings. The third person was their cousin.
In the video that later spread online, Singh was heard advising the girl not to roam in public places without a guardian. She also instructed the father over the phone not to send his children out unaccompanied. A police official later clarified that while the brother is an adult, his sister is a minor.
Police Response and Immediate Fallout
The video drew sharp criticism on social media platforms, with many netizens accusing the police of moral policing and overstepping their authority. The backlash prompted swift administrative action from the Mau police department.
Mau Superintendent of Police Elamaran G confirmed the transfer of SHO Manju Singh to news agency PTI. He stated, "We are sensitising and counselling all police personnel regarding their behaviour with the public."
Additional Superintendent of Police Anup Kumar also addressed the matter, acknowledging that no offense had been committed by the siblings. He issued a caution against police personnel giving unwarranted advice or acting beyond their legal mandate.
"The police will be sensitised across the district. They should not do any work beyond their jurisdiction. A warning will be issued from my office," Kumar said. He noted a tendency among some officers to assume a "moral duty" and offer unsolicited suggestions, emphasizing that even couples visiting public places cannot be stopped without valid grounds.
Broader Implications for Police Conduct
This incident has ignited a wider discussion about the boundaries of police authority during public safety initiatives. While the intent behind women's safety drives is commendable, the methods employed are now under scrutiny.
The key questions raised focus on where enforcement ends and moral policing begins. The transfer of the SHO serves as a clear message from the department that unwarranted interference in citizens' personal lives is unacceptable. It underscores the need for continuous training and sensitization of police forces to handle such situations with greater tact and within the confines of the law.
The episode highlights the delicate balance police must maintain between ensuring public safety and respecting individual freedoms, especially of women and minors, in public spaces.
