A police officer was suspended after a video went viral showing him allegedly mixing ash into the food served at a Bhandara (community feast) for devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
“Soraon station in-charge Brijesh Tiwari has been suspended after a video went viral in which he was seen dumping soil in a food vessel at a ‘Bhandara’,” said Kuldeep Singh Gunawat, DCP Ganganagar.
A video went viral on social media in which a police officer, later identified as Soraon station-in-charge Brijesh Tiwari, is seen adding ash to the food being prepared over a stove.
सत्ता का अहंकार तो देखिए, प्रयागराज सोरांव थाना अंतर्गत क्षेत्र में पुलिस इंस्पेक्टर द्वारा श्रद्धालुओं के लिए बन रहे भोजन पर बालू डाल कर खराब कर दिया गया, पुलिस का यह कृत्य घोर निंदनीय है।#prayagraj #BreakingNews @yadavakhilesh @Uppolice @myogiadityanath @samajwadiparty pic.twitter.com/mgS2wOoQ1B
— Navneet Kumar (@NavneetA2Y) January 30, 2025
Social media users had tagged DCP Ganganagar in the viral video, seeking strict action against the officer.
In response, the official account of DCP Ganga Nagar replied: “Taking cognizance of the matter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ganga Nagar) has suspended the Soraon SHO based on a report from ACP Soraon. Departmental proceedings are underway.”
This comes a day after tragic stampede broke out at Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagaraj. At least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in the pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday, as millions of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.