Remember the viral video that showcased a ‘drunk cop in Delhi metro’? In August last year, a video of an allegedly drunk policeman travelling on the Metro began blowing up on Facebook which sent shockwaves across social media. In the video, 50-year-old Salim PK was seen stumbling and eventually crashing down on the floor. People mocked him for what looked like drunken disorderly conduct. He had to face an inquiry after the video went viral and he later got suspended.
Now, according to a report, the cop, who is a head constable with the Delhi Police wasn’t drunk at all but was actually experienced a black-out and had suffered a stroke and partial paralysis of his body. It was said that Salim had a black-out leading to dizziness when he boarded the Metro. The day, on which the video was recorded, he had difficulty in even locating the doors of the train. Later, he was seen stumbling and eventually crashing down on the floor.
Watch the Video Here:
Despite repeatedly pleading that it wasn’t alcohol but a health issue, Salim was “identified and suspended” within weeks of the incident. However, his suspension was withdrawn and was reportedly reinstated in November, after a police enquiry and verification confirmed that he was not drunk on the metro that day.
Now the constable has spoken out, that too in the Supreme Court, claiming that he is the victim of the “worst kind of defamation one can suffer through social media.” Besides seeking compensation for the irresponsible uploading of the video and media coverage without verifying the fact which had “irreparably maligned his image in the eyes of the public”, Salim has urged the Centre to take steps to remove the video and identify measures to prevent such abuse of social media in the future.
Salim (now in his native state Kerala on a three months medical leave) wants the Delhi government, Police Commissioner, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Press Council of India to help him “regain his lost dignity by publishing the correct factual position in some prominent places, print and electronic media”.
People these days judge so fast. Poor cop along with this mental condition had to undergo mental trauma as well. Hope he gets well soon and resumes his duty with dignity!