It is true that honest, forthright cops who do not toe the official line are often made to pay the price for this by those in power. That phenomenon seems particularly marked among female cops. Not only do the powers-that-be want cops to do their bidding, they seems to take particular umbrage when it is female cops who are seen as ‘defiant’ or bucking the trend.
This woman police officer of Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh took on local BJP leaders who were violating traffic rules. She stood up to party workers and refused to let them go unpunished for breaking the law.
One Pramod Lodhi was found to not have proper documentation for his vehicle, so circle officer Shreshtha Thakur proceeded to challan (fine) him for this. She stood her ground in spite of the mob around shouting “Police Murdabad”. She did not mince her words and told the party worker that such actions brought a bad made to the party and promote “goodaraj” in the area.
The arrest of five BJP workers for obstructing justice did not go down well. Days after the incident which created national headlines, Thakur was transferred to Behraich district. Her transfer along with that of four other SP rank police officers came in the wake of a complaint made by the workers against Thakur’s actions having allegedly demoralized local party cadres.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Prisons Roopa’s is a similar story. She is the one who exposed the fact that Sasikala was being treated with special favours in prison. The police officer spoke about corruption which is rampant in the system, the fact that inmates are able to access drugs easily and that the high and mighty get vastly preferential treatment in jail.
Roopa was issued a show cause notice for her actions. According to state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, if there is evidence of corruption, the officer should bring it to the notice of her superiors; and should not make charges in the media.
According to Roopa, she is being targeted unfairly for exposing the fact that Sasikala was getting preferential treatment in Parappana Agrahara Central jail. It is her position that she did not share details of the issue with the media; that it was the DG who did so. She added that a probe should apply to all involved and not just her.
She is now transferred to Bangalore to the position of inspector general of police and commissioner for traffic and road safety. Is there a pattern here? Is the system particularly harsh on female cops?
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