Suspend Him: Haryana Anil Vij Confronts Kaithal SP During Public Hearing

Haryana Minister Anil Vij has triggered a controversy after a video of his heated verbal exchanges with a senior cop went viral.

At a a grievance redressal meeting in Kaithal district on Friday, the Haryana Minister Anil Vij and Superintendent of Police Upasana clashed over the suspension of a sub-inspector accused of fraud.

During the session, a local resident, Sandeep Malik of Titram village, alleged that Sub-Inspector Sandeep had defrauded him in a land purchase case.

Vij, who holds the Energy, Transport, and Labour portfolios, immediately ordered the officer's suspension. However, SP Upasana pointed out that the sub-inspector was posted in Kurukshetra, a different district, and therefore outside her jurisdiction. She explained that only the Kurukshetra SP or the state's Director General of Police (DGP) had the authority to act.

The exchange quickly escalated, with Vij insisting, "I am saying it. Suspend him," while the SP repeatedly clarified her limitations. At one point, the minister snapped, "Then get out of here if you have no power." Eventually, Upasana agreed to write to the DGP, noting she could not suspend the officer herself but would forward the minister's instructions.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Vij defended his stance, saying, "Be it me or any officer, we are there to ensure that the public gets justice, and that is why we should treat people in the same way." He clarified that he had not asked the Kaithal SP to directly suspend the officer but to communicate his order to the authority empowered to do so.

This confrontation underscores the recurring tension between political directives and administrative procedure in Haryana's governance.