A police constable posted at the Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow has triggered a major controversy after releasing a video on social media accusing senior officers of corruption and illegal money collection inside the department. The video, which is now widely circulating online, has sparked debate both within the police force and among the public.
The constable, identified as Sunil Kumar Shukla, alleged that a system of monthly illegal payments exists in the department and that police personnel are forced to pay money to get their duties assigned. In the video message, he made a strong remark claiming that the police department is being run by “black Englishmen,” referring to what he described as the high-handed behavior of certain senior officials.
Shukla claimed that personnel posted in the Reserve Police Lines are allegedly asked to pay around ₹2,000 every month in order to get their duty assignments. According to him, the collection is carried out through the guard commander and the money is eventually passed on through different levels of the department. He alleged that several officials are aware of the system and that the money collected from lower-ranked staff reaches senior officers.
In the video, the constable also spoke about the scale of the alleged collection. He claimed that in one section of the commissionerate alone there are around 110 to 120 guards deployed, with nearly 500 to 550 duties being assigned. According to his allegation, nearly 400 police personnel are asked to pay ₹2,000 each every month. Based on these numbers, he claimed that nearly ₹8 lakh could be collected every month from just one section.
Shukla further alleged that similar collections may be taking place in other sections as well. He said the system has been running for a long time and that many police personnel are forced to comply because they fear consequences if they refuse to pay.
In his emotional appeal, the constable requested intervention from the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath. He urged the state government to conduct a fair and transparent investigation into the allegations. According to him, justice cannot be expected from within the department itself, which is why he decided to make the issue public.
Soon after the video began circulating online, reports emerged that the constable had been sent on a 20-day leave. The move has further fueled discussions about the matter, with many social media users questioning whether action will be taken against those responsible if the allegations are proven true.
Responding to the viral video, Dr. Shipra Pandey said that the police department has taken note of the allegations. She confirmed that a committee has been formed to investigate the claims made by the constable. According to the official statement, appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.
Meanwhile, the video continues to circulate widely on social media platforms, drawing mixed reactions from the public. While some people have praised the constable for speaking out against alleged corruption, others believe the investigation should be allowed to proceed before any conclusions are drawn.
The outcome of the inquiry is now being closely watched, as the allegations have once again brought attention to issues of transparency and accountability within the police system.