Bhopal: A head constable in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh was suspended after allegedly sending threatening messages to the district's Superintendent of Police (SP), Aditya Mishra and the local police inspector (TI), Virendra Dhakad, via WhatsApp. The action was taken after a series of messages in which the constable, Devendra Meena, allegedly made menacing remarks regarding his superiors and threatened retaliation.
The controversy began on December 10, when Meena, who was posted at Beawar City Police Station, was reported absent from his duties on multiple occasions. TI Virendra Dhakad filed a report with the SP, which prompted an official investigation. It was this report that seemed to trigger Meena's angry and threatening response.
On December 10, Meena allegedly sent a message to SP Aditya Mishra, warning him to "keep his family safe" and expressing his intent to take revenge. While the message did not mention anyone by name, it was clear that it was directed at the TI. Meena also allegedly wrote: "Absenteeism will not be marked. If it is, the application will come to me. After that, I was suspended. Now lick his feet. My relatives committed 14 murders at different places. All went to jail, now remember me."
Meena then sent a separate message to TI Virendra Dhakad, in which he ominously stated, "Absenteeism was marked without my fault. I am very sad. Your two-star officer (referring to late SI Dipankar Gautam) went up. Now the three-star officer (TI) will go to him. Dhakad will now go to Gautam, this final article should be taken."
Meena was quoted by local media, claiming he was marked absent on several dates, including July 8 and July 12, despite the fact that he was on an assignment ordered by the SP to catch a criminal. Meena argued that he carried out the SP's orders and brought the criminal in, but the issue over his absence remained unresolved. Meena claimed that he responded to the notice on December 7, but the matter was not addressed, which he believed led to his suspension.
In his messages, Meena also referenced the death of SI Dipankar Gautam, who was killed three months ago in an incident involving a woman constable. It is unclear whether there is any direct connection between Gautam's death and Meena's threats, but the timing of his threats and reference to Gautam's death has raised questions.
The situation took a more serious turn when a video surfaced on social media. In the video, Meena, sitting with his children, states, "My children, this is my last meeting. I will either kill or die. Daughter, I am speaking the truth. When I die, do not defame my name. Make my name famous."
The video, filmed late on Wednesday night, shocked both the public and his colleagues, further raising concerns about Meena's mental state and the threat he posed.
After receiving the threatening messages and video, SP Aditya Mishra suspended Meena for indiscipline, stating that such behaviour was unacceptable in the police force. In a statement to the media, Meena suggested that his mental well-being was affected by the unresolved administrative issues and the ongoing stress of his situation.