We had reported the public argument between Fatehbad SP Sangeeta Kalia and Haryana minister Anil Vij that took place this Friday. The public and the media had strongly come forward in support of the officer, seen as someone not scared of standing her ground despite political pressure.

Now, in what is being seen as an act of ‘punishing the honest’, SP Sangeeta Kalia has been transferred. She has now been posted as Commandant 4th IRB at Manesar.

While the exact transcripts of the argument are not known at this point, the video that went viral apparently shows the following exchange –

SP Sangeeta Kalia tells the minister, “The government gives liquor licenses, not the police.”

She is cut short by the minister who tells her, “The government gives licenses for legal sale of liquor; you are responsible for the illegal sale.”

SP Sangeeta Kaila replies, “No sir, this is absolutely wrong.”

The minister shouts, “Just get out.”

The Logical Indian’s Opinion – We believe that no matter what the context of the conversation, those in position of power, be it the politicians or the police, need to speak very carefully to others. Instead of misbehaving in public, the minister could have simply filed a formal complaint in case he believed that the SP was an accomplice in the illegal liquor trade. Instead, the minister decided to show his arrogance and high-handedness by ordering an officer around. The public and the media needs to see real issues being addressed and not heated debates between those entrusted with governance.

We will present more facts of the case as and when they are made public. The top cops in Haryana have said that the transfer is in no way related to the argument, but the timing is very suspect. We hope this is not a repetition of what honest officers like Ashok Khemka have had to face in the past for fighting for the right.