Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: A heated exchange broke out between Haryana minister Anil Vij and Kaithal Superintendent of Police Upasna during a district grievance redressal meeting on Friday after the officer declined to suspend a policeman in a land-related case, saying she did not have the authority to do so.The incident occurred in Kaithal where Vij, who holds the energy, transport and labour portfolios, was chairing the meeting. A local resident had levelled allegations against an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) in connection with a land sale matter that is currently under investigation.During the proceedings, Vij directed that the ASI be suspended. “I am ordering that till action is taken in the matter, he (the ASI) should be suspended because he can use his influence (in the case),” the minister said.SP Upasna responded that the officer in question belonged to a neighbouring district and was not under her administrative control. “I don’t have the power to suspend him. The suspension order in this case can be issued by the Kurukshetra SP,” she said.Vij insisted that she act on his direction. “I am giving orders to suspend him (the ASI),” he told her, asking her to write to the Director General of Police (DGP) for necessary action.The SP maintained her position. “I can write this… But I cannot suspend (the ASI),” she said.As the exchange grew tense, Vij remarked, “In every work, you do like this. I am ordering you that he should be suspended. You write to the DGP… I am telling you, you only have to execute my order.”He added, “‘Mera order sare Haryana mein chalta hai’ (my order is applicable in entire Haryana),” drawing applause from some people present at the meeting, according to a video of the incident.The complainant, who was attending the session, also intervened, saying, “Madam, every time you do like this.”Sensing the situation escalating, Kaithal deputy commissioner Aparajita told the minister that the SP had agreed to write to the DGP. Vij responded, “You write to the DGP that he (the ASI) should be suspended… I will see who doesn’t listen (to the order),” pointing towards the SP.This is not the first time a disagreement has surfaced between Vij and senior police officials during grievance meetings. Three months ago, he had a similar altercation in Kaithal, alleging that a police officer ignored his directive to register a Zero FIR in a fraud case. More than a decade ago, Vij had also stormed out of a grievance meeting after a heated exchange with a woman IPS officer.
