Action has been taken against two Uttar Pradesh police constables for posting comments on social media in favour of senior politician and former five-time UP MLA Mukhtar Ansari who died last week, officials said on Wednesday.
Ansari, one of the popular Muslim politicians in the state, died last week at Rani Durgawati Medical College after being taken there from Banda jail when his health deteriorated. He was laid to rest in Ghazipur amid a blanket of security.
A day after Ansari’s burial, police constable Faiyaz Khan, posted at a police station in Lucknow, allegedly made certain comments in favour of Ansari on his WhatsApp status and also raised doubts over his death, PTI reported.
A magisterial inquiry was ordered as opposition parties raised questions over Ansari’s death, amid allegations by his family that he died due to “slow poisoning” in Banda jail.
After the WhatsApp status went viral, local authorities removed the constable from his current posting and sent him to the police lines, news agency removed.
“As the model code of conduct is in force, permission has been sought from the Election Commission for his suspension,” a senior officer said.
In another incident, constable Aftab Alam, posted at the police lines, wrote a Facebook post in favour of Ansari and termed him a “messiah”.
Additional Superintendent of Police, Chandauli, Anil Kumar Singh said the constable violated the social media policy of the Uttar Pradesh police and the state government’s conduct rules. He has been suspended and departmental action has also been initiated against him, the officer said.
