'Whistle-blower' CRPF officer seeks probe into 'mistreatment' of protesters
Quick Look
- CRPF Assistant Commandant Rahul Solanki has approached the NHRC, NCW, and Delhi Police commissioner seeking an impartial investigation into three social media videos showing CAPF and police personnel allegedly mistreating women protesting against SIR and CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi.
- He submitted the complaint in his individual capacity as a concerned citizen, requesting forensic verification of the footage and appropriate action if misconduct is confirmed, while also advocating for gender sensitivity training for ground personnel.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Rahul Solanki, a CRPF assistant commandant posted in Manipur, has a history of raising concerns about personnel conditions, including poor living conditions during Jharkhand assembly polls in 2019 and alleged unauthorized sale of track suits at the CRPF group centre in Greater Noida.
NEW DELHI: A serving CRPF officer posted in Manipur has approached National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Commission for Women (NCW) and Delhi Police commissioner, seeking an impartial enquiry into three videos circulated on social media, where certain CAPF and police personnel appear to be "physically mistreating" women protesting against SIR and CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. CRPF assistant commandant Rahul Solanki, who has a history of playing vigilante and whistle-blower, having alleged poor living conditions of CRPF personnel deployed in Jharkhand for 2019 assembly poll and more recently claiming "unauthorised sale" of track suits at CRPF group centre in Greater Noida, clarified in his letter that he was submitting the complaint "in my individual capacity as a concerned citizen of India, committed to the rule of law, and the dignity and safety of women". Sharing three video links that form the basis of his complaint dated Oct 11, he requested an impartial probe and forensic verification of the incident and the circumstances. He added a disclaimer, saying the videos were obtained by him strictly for verification purposes and had not been authenticated. Solanki insisted that he was not endorsing the views and statements of any individuals or organisations behind the videos. Seeking any genuine misconduct on part of the police/CAPF personnel to be addressed fairly, he said in case the allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women protesters are substantiated, appropriate legal and departmental action may follow against the personnel and their supervisors. Alternatively, if the footage is found to be fabricated or manipulated, legal action and removal of the misleading content, should be pursued as per law.
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He also requested gender sensitivity training for police personnel on the ground. A CRPF official told TOI that Solanki's act of directly approaching the rights watchdogs and Delhi Police against the conduct of CAPF/police officers, rather than raise the matter with his superiors, may be viewed as indiscipline as service conduct rules bar officers from filing public complaints against govt officers/depts. "The officer concerned was not even on the ground (where protests were held). If he was concerned, he would have raised the matter internally with his superiors," said an officer. The officer hinted that Solanki could face departmental proceedings over violation of conduct rules.
End of Article
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The NHRC, NCW, and Delhi Police will initiate a preliminary inquiry into the allegations based on the submitted video links.
Likely · Within days
If the footage is verified as authentic, departmental action may be initiated against the personnel seen in the videos.
Possible · Within weeks
Solanki may face internal disciplinary proceedings for approaching external bodies instead of using internal grievance channels.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What is the authenticity of the three videos shared by Solanki?
- Were the CAPF and police personnel seen in the videos acting in an official capacity?
- What specific actions will the NHRC, NCW, and Delhi Police take in response to the complaint?
- Will Solanki face departmental proceedings for bypassing internal channels?
