UP cop Shrestha Thakur versus ruling party netas; Chronology of events from viral video to her transfer

ON SATURDAY, Shrestha Thakur, the woman police officer in UP’s Bulandshahr district whose video of chiding some local BJP leaders went viral in social media, was transferred to Nepal border. The circle officer-ranked cop took to Facebook to say it was a “reward for good work.” “Got transfer to Bahraich, it’s Nepal border. Don’t worry my friends, I am happy. I accept it as a reward for my good work. U all are invited to Bahraich”. Here’s the chronology of the incidents around Ms Thakur:

1. It all started on the afternoon of June 23 when a district-level BJP worker was fined  for not carrying documents in his bike. Police said, he misbehaved with police officers leading to his arrest. 

2. But the BJP workers alleged, police had demanded a bribe of Rs 2,000 for letting the man go, and the problem began only after the bribe was not paid.

3. Five BJP leaders were arrested on the charges of obstructing a government servant from discharging duty.

4. Local party workers started a dharna and some of them had verbal argument with the police officer, the video of which went viral in social media. A section of the video was also telecast in some news channels on Sunday, June 25. 

5. In the video, Ms Thakur was seen telling a political worker to get a written declaration from the state chief minister that police had no power to check vehicles.

6. She also demanded any video recording to prove that the police asked for a bribe of Rs 2,000 for getting the local Netas released. 

7. When one leader asked her why she was chasing only BJP workers, she retorted by saying that they were resorting to goondaism and maligning the name of the party.

8. Meanwhile, 11 MLAs of the the area along with Bulandshahr MP  met UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath last week demanding action against Ms Thakur, according to local media reports. They reportedly said, if no action was taken against the woman police officer, it would affect the morale of the party workers in the locality. 

9. On Saturday, UP administration undertook a massive reshuffle of police, transferring 44 deputy superintendent of police, 88 inspectors and 359 sub-inspectors. Ms Thakur’s name also figured in the list. Her new posting will be at Bahraich in India-Nepal border. 

10. “Don’t worry my friends, I am happy. I accept it as a reward for my good work…” Ms Thakur wrote in a Facebook post.