In a cruel irony of fate, state Director General of Police, Bhupinder Singh, who must have put hundreds of criminals in the dock had to stand in a dock himself and plead guilty. The drama that had started unfolding in the state Assembly on Thursday over the flash of the cellphone camera of the state Director General of Police ended on Friday morning under the direction of Speaker Hashim Abdul Halim in the House.
Mr Halim said in his ruling that since the DGP had admitted his mistake and apologised standing in the dock in the House, his mobile phone stood seized. He was asked to pay Rs 1,000 to the chief minister’s Relief Fund after which he will get back the cell phone. Mr Halim made it clear that his reprimand would not affect Mr Singh’s service, promotion et al.
At 10.23 am, Mr Singh went straight to the chamber of the Speaker. In a 20-minute one-on-one conversation with the DGP, the Speaker reportedly said that he would have to stand in the dock and give his version of the fleeting light of his cellphone camera which caught the eye of those present in the House where mobile phones are not allowed. At 11.02 am, the DGP along with the Speaker entered the House. The proceedings started at 11.15 am. Speaker: Did you take a photo in the House with your mobile phone camera on Thursday?
DGP: It was sheer mistake. The flash went off by mistake but no photo was taken.
Speaker: Don’t you think that you have committed a grave mistake?
DGP: Yes, Sir.
Speaker: Do you regret it?
DGP: I regret it and apologise unconditionally.
The episode in the House ended at 12.25 pm.