The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought the Punjab Government’s response on a plea filed seeking action against fake social media accounts of the State Police Department of Punjab, and use of the name and emblem of the Punjab Police on such fake social media accounts.
A division Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli has issued notice on the plea and direct State Govt to file its reply. The Court would hear the matter next in March 2021.
The plea has been filed by Nikhil Saraf (petitioner-in-person) seeking directions to the State of Punjab for constitution of a commission under a Retired High Court Judge or any other mechanism that is independent and unbiased for swift, time bound and stern action against all the erring Police officials, to submit a action taken report before the High Court till the time State Police Complaints Authority is constituted as per directions of the Apex Court.
According to the petitioner, action needs to be taken against the Police Officials of Punjab Police and others for floating fake social media accounts of the State Police Department of Punjab, for use of the name and emblem of the Punjab Police on such fake social media accounts. The petitioner has sought action against State Police officials for bringing disrepute and insult to the uniform by ‘modeling in uniform’ for self glorification and contemptible publicity, by publishing very objectionable pictures on their social media accounts, bringing disrepute, unbecoming of a law enforcement agency and indulging in acts of gross misconduct.
The plea has sought direction to the commission constituted in absence of State Police Authority to take stern disciplinary action against all police officials who were mandated to check such gross misconduct and abuse of power by the police officials, but did not act in accordance in law.
Also Read: Tata Sons Vs Cyrus Mistry: We want transparency, says Mistry’s advocate
The petitioner has sought setting up of a potent and responsive mechanism to check misuse of social media by the government officials and restrain Punjab Police officials from publication of their pictures in uniforms on various social media platforms till the final adjudication of the matter.