New Delhi: A heated argument broke out between Haryana minister Anil Vij and police chief Kaithal Upasna at a district grievance redressal meeting on Friday after the officer refused to suspend a police officer handling a land-related case, saying she had no authority to do so.The incident took place in Kaital, where Vijay, who is in charge of energy, transport and labor, was chairing the meeting. A local resident has lodged a complaint against an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in connection with the land sale which is currently being investigated.During the proceedings, Vij directed that ASI be suspended. “I order that until action is taken in the matter, he (ASI) should be suspended as he can use his influence (in the case),” the minister said.SP Upasna responded that the officer belonged to the neighboring district and was not under her administrative control. “I have no power to suspend him. The suspension order in this case can be issued by the Kurukshetra SP,” she said.Vijay insists that she follow his instructions. “I am ordering suspension of him (ASI),” he told her and asked her to write to the director general of police (DGP) for necessary action.SP maintained its position. “I can write this…but I can’t pause (ASI),” she said.As the exchange grew tense, Weegee said: “You do this in every job. I’m ordering you to suspend him. You write to the attorney general…I’m telling you, you just carry out my orders.”“‘Mera order sare Haryana mein chalta hai’ (My order applies to the entire state of Haryana),” he added, drawing applause from some in attendance, according to a video of the incident.The complainant, who was watching, also intervened and said, “Ma’am, you do this every time.”Realizing that the situation was escalating, Kaithal deputy commissioner Aparajita told the minister that the SP had agreed to write to the DGP. Vij responded, “You wrote to the DGP saying that he (ASI) should be suspended… I will see who disobeys (orders),” pointing at the SP.This is not the first time a disagreement has arisen between Vij and senior police officers at a grievance meeting. Three months ago, he had a similar altercation in Kaithal, alleging that a police officer ignored his instructions to register a zero FIR in a fraud case. Over a decade ago, Vij too walked out angrily after a heated argument with a female IPS officer during a grievance meeting.
