Abusive language upon requesting leave, constable weeps, action taken after video goes viral
A woman constable in Uttar Pradesh accused her superior of verbal abuse after she requested leave due to her mother's illness, an incident that gained widespread attention after a video surfaced online.
In a shocking incident from Basti district, Uttar Pradesh, a woman police constable, Menka Chauhan, alleged that she was verbally abused by her superior, Station Officer Dinesh Chandra Chaudhary, when she requested leave due to her mother's severe illness. According to Chauhan, instead of understanding her situation, the officer responded with profanities and even attempted to physically retaliate against her for her request. This distressing encounter occurred within the precincts of the police station, which was reportedly captured on a CCTV camera.
Chauhan, a constable hailing from Gorakhpur and part of the 2019 batch, recounted her traumatic experience while seeking help from the DIG's office, where she broke down in tears. Her husband is also a constable and currently stationed at the old Basti police station. The couple has two daughters, emphasizing the personal stakes involved in her request for compassionate leave. The incident highlights the challenges faced by female officers in the male-dominated police force, particularly regarding their treatment by superiors under stressful personal circumstances.
Following the incident, the issue gained traction as a video of Chauhan's emotional recounting went viral on social media, prompting immediate action from the authorities. The police department has been under scrutiny for the behavior of its officers, and the recorded footage from the CCTV is likely to play a crucial role in any disciplinary measures that may follow. This case underscores the urgent need for reform and support systems within police structures to protect the rights and wellbeing of their personnel, especially women in similar situations.