Saharanpur DIG's conduct unacceptable, says Akhilesh Yadav

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said he was 'amazed' that a senior officer like a DIG could ask a father, whose daughter had eloped, to either shoot her dead or commit suicide.

"I am amazed that officials of such stature and at such senior field posts do not understand the seriousness of their job and the responsibility that comes with it," Akhilesh Yadav said after Saharanpur DIG Satish Kumar Mathur was caught on camera telling a complainant that he should kill either the girl or himself.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of a school function here, the Chief Minister said he had seen footage of the statement of the DIG and in no way could 'such behaviour be accepted'.

"People look up to police for solutions to their problems and if such suggestions are given, it is unbecoming of the officer," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav said a probe has been ordered by senior police officials and severe action would be taken if what was being shown on TV was found to be correct.

The Chief Minister also urged the television media to highlight the follow-up action in such incidents.

"I am happy that media is highlighting such incidents and issues. But if the action taken is given equal weightage, I am sure officials would take note and not repeat such mistakes in future," he said.

Mathur was caught on camera telling an aged man in Saharanpur that he should either kill his daughter, who had eloped, or commit suicide. This prompted calls for his resignation from the National Commission for Women (NCW) for advocating honour killing.

Local journalists who were at the spot to cover his inspection of a police station filmed him. The clip was soon telecast on national television, triggering an outcry.

The state government had on Wednesday afternoon ordered a probe into the matter and asked the Inspector General (IG) of Meerut to look into the matter and come back to the government with the facts.