11 Bihar home guards suspended over harassment of truck driver

Patna: As many as 11 home guards in Bihar’s Nawada district have been placed under suspension for allegedly harassing a truck driver carrying a consignment of potatoes, officials said on Sunday.

The incident occurred late on November 24 at the Rajauli check-post, where the home guards were posted on duty. According to officials, the personnel allegedly stopped the vehicle and compelled the driver to part with potatoes from the truck.

Matters escalated when the driver began filming the incident on his mobile phone. The home guards allegedly pushed and manhandled him, and the video later surfaced on social media, drawing widespread attention.

An inquiry was ordered after the footage went viral. The probe found the personnel guilty of misconduct, following which action was initiated against them. Acting on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Police, District Magistrate Ravi Prakash directed the suspension of all 11 home guards under Rule 16(1)(v) of the Bihar Home Guards Rules, 1953, barring them from duty until further orders.

The inquiry report noted that the personnel failed to perform their duties responsibly and indulged in indisciplined and unbecoming behaviour, officials said.

(with inputs from agencies)