Uttar Pradesh cop who complained about mess food sent on 'long leave'

AGRA: The Uttar Pradesh police constable who had highlighted the issue of "substandard" quality food served at the mess at Firozabad police lines has been sent on a "long leave" days after a video in which he is seen complaining bitterly about the food and crying about it went viral on social media.
The cop, Manoj Kumar, told TOI on Friday that he has been forcefully sent on leave and that his job is in danger.He claimed that senior police officers, in their zeal to declare him mentally unstable and a "bad character", even listed some actions taken against him over matters that "took place in the future".
Kumar, 26, said: "While declaring a list of actions taken against me, senior officers mentioned two cases that took place in 'November 2022'. I stand by my words. No probe is pending against me. Senior officers listed some past proceedings against me just to divert the issue of substandard food. They want to cover up the matter by defaming me and by creating the narrative that I am mentally unsound."
He added: "I was roughed up and locked in a room after the video went viral on social media. My phone was snatched and the entire data was deleted. They even tried to take me to the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital in Agra. Later, after warning me not to speak to the media, I was sent on a seven-day leave. I had not applied for leave, and my job is in danger," the constable said.
Firozabad SSP Ashish Tiwari said, "I cannot comment on vague allegations. The constable had applied for leave, which was granted. A probe into the issue of food served in the mess is underway." In a tweet on Wednesday, Firozabad police said that constable Kumar had earlier faced disciplinary action on 15 occasions in the last few years for various reasons - from being absent to indiscipline and negligence.
Kumar claimed that days before going public he had called and sent Whatsapp messages to senior officials highlighting the issue of poor-quality food at the police mess. After the video went viral, Firozabad SSP issued a roster for CO to check quality of food served in the mess. Similar orders have been issued in other districts as well.