The inquiry into the controversial ’52 Fridays and one Holi’ statement by Circle Officer (CO) Mr. Anuj Chaudhary in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district has taken a new turn. Former IPS officer of the 1992 batch and National President of Azad Adhikar Sena, Mr. Amitabh Thakur, visited Sambhal to record his statement and submit evidence, calling for action against Mr. Chaudhary for making provocative statements while holding a government post.
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Earlier, Mr. Chaudhary was given a clean chit in the initial probe conducted by the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). However, following strong objections by Mr. Thakur, the government withdrew the clean chit and ordered a fresh investigation. Mr. Thakur stated, “I was given three days to present evidence. I have submitted a 33-page document with six key points and 18 supporting documents to the investigating officer.”
Mr. Thakur alleged that Mr. Chaudhary violated service conduct and uniform rules by making communal and unauthorized statements that could incite tension and fear among certain sections of society. He emphasized that any officer making such remarks while in uniform undermines the spirit of impartial governance and called for disciplinary action if the allegations are proven true.
Mr. Chaudhary has since been transferred to Chandausi Circle. However, the transfer order does not mention any punitive action, indicating it is an administrative move.
Addressing questions regarding Mr. Chaudhary’s support of Chief Minister Mr. Yogi Adityanath, Mr. Thakur clarified, “The CM made that remark during a private event as a BJP leader, not in his official capacity. Regardless, any Chief Minister or Home Minister must adhere to constitutional conduct. I take it as a personal view, not an official statement.”
The case gained momentum after the Sambhal ASP Mr. Srishchandra issued a letter on April 29 requesting Mr. Thakur to present evidence within three days. Mr. Thakur reiterated that Mr. Chaudhary’s actions breached the Police Service Conduct Rules, further stating, “These actions bring a communal tone to policing, create a tense environment, and diminish public confidence.”
The reinvestigation is ongoing, and the administration is expected to act based on the findings of this renewed inquiry.
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