Morena, March 2 A police SHO in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district was suspended after he danced at his birthday party, seated on the shoulders of a known criminal with a history of bike theft cases and a video of the incident reached higher authorities, an official said on Monday.
The Station House Officer, Darshan Lal Shukla's birthday party was held on the Joura police station premises around 9 pm on February 28, he said.
"A cake was cut, garlands were placed, and people kept arriving to greet Shukla. Lovkush Sharma, a known criminal with a history of bike theft cases from the Morena City Kotwali police station area, was present at the party. A video showed Sharma lifting a delighted Shukla onto his shoulders and the duo dancing," the official said.
The video also showed other police officers dancing behind Shukla and Sharma, the official said.
According to records of the Morena City Kotwali police station, Sharma was arrested on June 12 last year in connection with 13 motorcycle theft cases. Sharma is also accused of assaulting an electricity department assistant engineer and other staff, sources said.
In his defense, Shukla claimed he was unaware of those who had come for his birthday party as it was a well-attended event.
The suspended SHO also claimed the person who lifted him on his shoulders was a police informer and had provided information in a few cases.
Morena Superintendent of Police Sameer Saurabh said Shukla's conduct was against the police manual.
"Shukla has been suspended with immediate effect and attached to police lines (taken off field duty). An inquiry into the entire incident is underway and further action will depend on the inquiry report," the SP said.
