An assistant sub-inspector of the state police posted in North Dinajpur, suspected to be drunk, was found roaming around in uniform in a prominent crossing of Raiganj town late on Wednesday evening.
Some residents who shot the cop's videos on Wednesday also accused him of making lewd remarks at women, said a BJP leader. Trinamool leaders said the BJP’s allegation that Guha had resorted to teasing women was yet to be substantiated.
However, as the videos surfaced on social media, the police took steps against ASI Parthapratim Guha.
“The concerned ASI has been suspended. A departmental inquiry has begun against him,” said Kuntal Banerjee, the additional superintendent of police of Raiganj.
Sources said that on Wednesday evening, ASI Guha of the state armed police posted at the district police lines, was seen tottering near the Ghori More, a crossing in the town.
As Guha was staggering and could not speak properly, some residents came for help. They arranged an e-rickshaw and made him sit in it. The vehicle dropped him at his home in Ukilpara, said sources.
“Many of us pass Ghori More late in the evening and at night. If we face any problem, we think of approaching the police. But after this incident, I am skeptical about whether to approach cops,” said Sima Sarkar, a Raiganj resident.
Basudeb Sarkar, the district BJP president, said they had seen the video. "He was so drunk that he couldn’t even walk properly. As some people asked his name, he tried to hide his nameplate. Surprisingly, a policeman in uniform behaved in such a manner. Some residents have also said that he was making lewd comments at women. Stringent steps should be taken against him,” Sarkar said.
District Trinamool vice-president Arindam Sarkar said: "If he has done it (made lewd comments at women), the women concerned should file complaints with the police. We don’t know whether he was on duty but if he was drunk, it is undesirable."
