The Madhya Pradesh High Court highlighted the growing issue of social media intoxication among police personnel. It urged senior police officers to take immediate action to address intoxication in uniformed departments and implement effective remedial measures to ensure discipline and efficiency.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court mandated the monitoring of police officials’ online activities, highlighting the issue of social media intoxication among officers assigned to the residences of protectees, as well as those on law and order duty.
The Division Bench, comprising Justice Anand Pathak and Justice Pushpendra Yadav, addressed the case of a police officer who was discovered sleeping while under the influence of alcohol during guard duty.
The Court determined that the decision to forcibly retire the officer was appropriate and dismissed his appeal.
The Court explained,
“Petitioner was the member of guard duty at the residence of a Protectee, therefore, he was required to be more vigilant for the purpose he was deputed and this intoxication may breed indiscipline and may cause accident/mishap at the hands of guard himself who is meant to protect the person for whose security he is deputed as guard,”
The judges remarked on the widespread use of mobile phones and social media by security personnel, urging the implementation of measures to address the issue.
The bench stated,
“This Court craves attention of senior police officers of Police Department about other intoxication prevailing in the uniform clad departments like police, said intoxication is of mobile/ social media. In the present case, where a police constable was posted on guard duties at the residence of a protectee where he was found in dereliction of duties because of consumption of liquor but nowadays it is commonly observed that guards on bungalow duties, court duties, law and order duties or duties inter alia where police personnel posted at a place where they have to do sedentary jobs, are involved in observing mobile and social media. This creates indiscipline, casualness in duties and at times incriminating social media clips, pollutes the mind and affects disposition of policeman. This issue deserves attention of senior police officers and remedial measures as well,”
The Court proposed that training programs be initiated to tackle the situation effectively.
The Court also recommended measures to address the increasing issue of social media and mobile phone addiction within the Police Department.
“Senior police officers may think of incorporating sensitization programmes in police training centers for Constables, Sub Inspectors and other officers and a mechanism or constant supervision of police personnel and their presence on Social Media can be checked and verified when Police Personnel are on duty. This is the food for thought and Senior Police Officers may discuss and frame a mechanism as per their Rules, Regulations and Guidelines.”
The Court directed that a copy of the order be sent to the Director General of Police, the Additional Director General of Police (Administration), and the Additional Director General of Police (Training) for necessary follow-up actions.
The Court was reviewing an appeal concerning a decision that had dismissed the petitioner’s writ petition, which challenged the penalty of compulsory retirement imposed on him.
The petition was therefore concluded.
Advocate Prashant Sharma represented the appellant, while Senior Advocate and Additional Advocate General Vivek Khedkar, along with Government Advocate Sohit Mishra, appeared for the State.
Case Title: Ashok Kumar Tripathi vs. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.
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