Mandla traffic constable suspended after on-duty conduct video goes viral
Synopsis
A traffic constable posted at Mandla's Chilman Chowk for nearly two years was suspended within hours of a video showing his on-duty conduct going viral — a swift departmental response that underscores how citizen footage is increasingly forcing police forces to act publicly and fast.
Key Takeaways
A traffic constable in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh was suspended after a video of his on-duty conduct at Chilman Chowk went viral on social media.
The footage, reportedly recorded on Tuesday night , sparked speculation that the constable may have been under the influence of alcohol, an allegation police have not confirmed .
Additional SP Shiv Kumar Verma confirmed the constable had been posted at the intersection for nearly two years before the suspension.
The Superintendent of Police ordered immediate suspension; further inquiry has been handed to the Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) .
All station in-charges in Mandla have been directed to ensure personnel maintain proper conduct while on duty.
A traffic constable in Madhya Pradesh's Mandla district has been suspended with immediate effect after a video capturing his conduct while on duty at a busy intersection went viral on social media, police confirmed on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. The incident has triggered an official inquiry and prompted the police department to issue fresh conduct directives to all station in-charges across the district.
What the Video Shows
The constable was deployed at Chilman Chowk, one of Mandla's busier traffic intersections, where he was seen using a microphone to address motorists and pedestrians and urge them to follow traffic rules. The footage was reportedly recorded on Tuesday night. His manner of speaking and general behaviour in the video led to widespread speculation on social media that he may have been under the influence of alcohol while on duty.
Police have not confirmed the allegation of intoxication, and a formal inquiry has been ordered to establish the facts.
Swift Action by Senior Officials
The video quickly came to the attention of senior police officials. Additional Superintendent of Police Shiv Kumar Verma said the Superintendent of Police ordered the constable's immediate suspension once the footage was reviewed. 'A video went viral, which came to our notice. The employee concerned had been posted there for nearly two years,' Verma said. He added that, considering the apparent lapse in conduct, senior officers felt swift action was warranted.
Further investigation and any necessary disciplinary action have been entrusted to the Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP).
Departmental Directives Issued
Beyond the individual suspension, the Mandla Police department has directed all station in-charges to take preventive measures to ensure similar incidents do not recur. Personnel have been reminded of their obligation to maintain proper conduct at all times while on public-facing duty. The directives reflect broader concern within the force about how officer behaviour, when captured on video, can rapidly erode public trust.
Social Media Scrutiny and Public Reaction
The clip drew considerable criticism from commuters and local residents, who shared and commented on the footage widely. This is not the first time a police personnel's on-duty behaviour in a smaller Indian city has come under scrutiny after a video went viral — the pattern of citizen-captured footage driving departmental action has become increasingly common, putting pressure on forces to act decisively and visibly. The inquiry's outcome will determine whether the suspension is converted into a more permanent disciplinary measure.
Point of View
The clip goes viral, and the department suspends swiftly to contain reputational damage. The speed of action is welcome, but it raises a structural question — whether departmental checks are genuinely working or whether citizen surveillance is doing the supervisory job that senior officers should be doing routinely. The fact that this constable was posted at the same intersection for nearly two years without apparent oversight flags a systemic gap. Departmental inquiries in such cases often end quietly; the real test is whether this one produces a transparent finding rather than a buried file.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Mandla traffic constable suspended?
The constable was suspended after a video of his conduct while on duty at Chilman Chowk intersection in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, went viral on social media. The footage led to speculation about intoxication on duty, though police have not confirmed the allegation and an inquiry is underway.
Where exactly did the incident take place?
The incident occurred at Chilman Chowk, a busy traffic intersection in Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh. The constable was using a microphone to address motorists and pedestrians when the video was recorded, reportedly on Tuesday night.
Who ordered the suspension and what happens next?
The Superintendent of Police ordered the constable's immediate suspension after the video came to the notice of senior officials. Further investigation and disciplinary proceedings have been handed to the Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP), whose inquiry will determine if additional action is warranted.
Has the allegation of being drunk on duty been confirmed?
No. Police have explicitly stated they have not confirmed the allegation that the constable was under the influence of alcohol. The formal inquiry is meant to establish the exact circumstances of his conduct.
What steps has the Mandla Police taken to prevent a repeat?
The department has directed all station in-charges to ensure personnel maintain proper conduct while performing public-facing duties. Senior officials have instructed stations to take preventive measures so that similar incidents do not recur.
