However, in a shocking incident, an IAS officer named Ranbir Sharma, who was posted as the District Collector of Chhattisgarh’s Surajpur, was caught slapping a man who went out to buy medicines. Sharma further asked police officials to hit the man, reports NDTV.
In a video that captured the incident, Sharma can be seen interrogating a man, who was wearing his mask. The man, Sahil Gupta, is seen showing identity papers to Sharma, who then asks for his mobile phone. When Sahil hands his phone to the official, he slams it on the road.
He then slaps Sahil, after which two cops can be seen hitting him with sticks.
Watch the video here:
Despicable behaviour Mr DM.Totally condemnable.I hear you have given an apology ! No apology can take away the insult you inflicted on the unsuspecting person. You have jeopardised the committed work of hundreds of civil servants working day & night.Shame #Collector #Apology pic.twitter.com/tUzTeSgIl6
— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) May 23, 2021
An FIR has been filed against Sahil for allegedly overspeeding and not stopping his vehicle despite being asked to.
People online slammed the IAS officer and called his behavior condemnable. Many accused him of misusing his authority and called for his suspension.
The IAS Association strongly condemns the behaviour of Collector Surajpur, Chhattisgarh.
It is unacceptable & against the basic tenets of the service & civility.
Civil servants must have empathy & provide a healing touch to society at all times, more so in these difficult times.— IAS Association (@IASassociation) May 23, 2021
I am an IAS officer & Mr.Ranbir Sharma, ex-collector Surajpur does not represent me. No one can represent the service single handedly. As I have stated in an earlier post the good & bad are in every profession, community & society. Power can only intoxicate the weak…not all..
— Rajeshwari B 🇮🇳 (@RSB_85) May 23, 2021
This is not acceptable in this democratic country, where an IAS officer manhandling the common man.
Hope, the concerned authorities take action against this bureaucrat.@PMOIndia @pmo_in99 @AmitShah @upsc_gs https://t.co/gYr9U1Bcpo— Dev Balaji Setty (@DevBalajiSetty) May 24, 2021
These people are meant to be the upholders of the law in India. God help us! 🙏🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/gCt6VXzrc7
— Indy Sarker (@IndySarker) May 23, 2021
The scene is very similar to a British officer hitting an Indian citizen during the pre independence days. Was wondering how psychologically the victim would have been affected after seeing this video going viral. The DM should be removed from service.
— Subbu (@subbu75) May 23, 2021
https://t.co/ZEG3jkJpBJ has not even respected the guy has human, do collectors have rights to slap anyone without reason with his powers?? Truly condemnable madam. It’s a great insult to other officers too with his bad behaviour. Need Humanity.
— narayan (@leonarayan76) May 23, 2021
After facing tremendous backlash, IAS Sharma issued an apology.
“Today, a video is viral on social media in which I am shown slapping a man who was out during lockdown. I sincerely apologise. I never had any intention to disrespect or belittle the person in the video,” he said and added that government employees are trying their best to curb the pandemic and abide by service rules.
He further claimed that he along with his parents too were infected by the virus.
LATEST: Collector Surajpur District of Chattisgarh Ranbir Sharma has issued an apology for his behaviour. This is being circulated by Chattisgarh Govt in media for damage control. He is a Govt servant and has to abide by civil service rules. Chattisgarh Govt needs to act ASAP. pic.twitter.com/ZpRN71PdJz
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) May 22, 2021
According to Hindustan Times, Ranbir Sharma has been transferred by Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.
“An incident of Surajpur district collector Ranbir Sharma misbehaving with a young man has been brought to my attention by social media. This is extremely unfortunate and condemnable. No such incident shall be tolerated in Chhattisgarh. Have given instructions to remove collector Ranbir Sharma with immediate effect,” he tweeted.
सोशल मीडिया के माध्यम से सूरजपुर कलेक्टर रणबीर शर्मा द्वारा एक नवयुवक से दुर्व्यवहार का मामला मेरे संज्ञान में आया है।
यह बेहद दुखद और निंदनीय है। छत्तीसगढ़ में इस तरह का कोई कृत्य कतई बर्दाश्त नहीं किया जाएगा।
कलेक्टर रणबीर शर्मा को तत्काल प्रभाव से हटाने के निर्देश दिए हैं।
— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) May 23, 2021
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