Secret meetings, new WhatsApp group to dodge social media cell

LUCKNOW: The constables supporting the accused in Vivek murder case held secret meetings in the city and exchanged messages on WhatsApp to mobilise their colleagues to join them.

The warning of strict action failed to deter them as they had already launched a campaign to raise funds in support of accused police constable Prashant Chaudhary. By Thursday evening,₹ 5 lakh was deposited in the account of Rakhi Mullick, Prashant’s wife.

Officers claimed that the activities of the constables, particularly of 2015-16 batch, were under scanner but the constables outmanoeuvred them, holding meetings outside the premises of police stations. The women constables were also roped in. To dodge the social media cell, a new WhatsApp group was created to exchange messages.

A senior police officer said the district intelligence unit failed to alert the top officers about the ganging up of the constabulary, else action would have been taken on Thursday night to rein in the protest. The constables moved from one police station to another in the night, urging their colleagues to join the protest, he said.

The constables leading the protest were hopeful that all the police stations would join the protest.

Out of the 6,000 constables in the district police, those expressing solidarity with murder accused Prashant Chaudhary include around 400 constables of the 2015-16 batch.

Another police officer who did not wish to be named said along with organising a training programme, it was also being contemplated to remove the protesting constables from field duty.

“The constables have indulged in indiscipline, violated the service rules and incited colleagues to join the protest. Action will be taken against them under Police incitement to Disaffection Act,” he said.