The Uttarakhand Police has initiated legal and departmental action against suspended constable Sher Singh after he allegedly made what officials described as “provocative and irresponsible” statements during a student protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
A video circulating on social media shows Sher Singh addressing protesters over alleged examination irregularities. During his speech, he questioned the government over paper leak incidents, claiming that leaked question papers are available at “grocery stores.” He also announced his support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and publicly declared his resignation from the police service.
However, Uttarakhand Police said the constable has already been under suspension for a prolonged period and dismissal proceedings against him were already underway in connection with a serious criminal case.
Kumaon Inspector General (IG) of Police Nivedita Kukreti said Sher Singh, Constable No 118 of the 2009 batch and originally from Pathari in Haridwar district, had been posted in Pithoragarh district but remained absent from duty without authorisation since June 28, 2026.
According to the IG, the Superintendent of Police, Pithoragarh, issued him a notice regarding his unauthorised absence. After he failed to respond, the department suspended him on July 20, 2026.
Addressing the viral video, Kukreti said, “Currently, a constable, Sher Singh, is making a baseless statement inciting student protests, which is going viral. Regarding this constable, it is worth noting that he was unauthorisedly absent from Pithoragarh district since June 28, 2026. In this regard, he was issued a notice by the SP, Pithoragarh, and upon not receiving a response, he was suspended on July 20, 2026.”
She added that Sher Singh has a prior criminal history and had allegedly worked with notorious gangster Praveen Valmiki and another associate in organised crime.
“The constable has a prior criminal history. He and another colleague were involved in organised crime in connivance with a notorious gangster, Praveen Valmiki. They used to intimidate innocent people and seize their land. He was arrested and sent to jail on 15 September 2025. He spent several months in jail and is currently out on bail. In this context also, dismissal proceedings were going on against him and currently, necessary legal and departmental action is being taken in relation to the baseless statement given by him,” Kukreti said.
The police said Sher Singh was transferred to Pithoragarh on September 8, 2025, on administrative grounds after investigators allegedly found his involvement with the Balmiki Gang, described as an inter-state criminal organisation. The department transferred him while departmental and legal proceedings were pending.
Police said Sher Singh remained in judicial custody for nearly two months before securing bail from the Uttarakhand High Court on November 7, 2025. Following his release, he allegedly remained absent from duty for prolonged periods amounting to around seven months. He briefly reported for duty during April and May before once again remaining absent without authorisation.
Officials said Sher Singh submitted a few medical documents claiming mental health issues caused by stress. However, a preliminary inquiry held him responsible for repeated and prolonged unauthorised absence. The department subsequently initiated disciplinary proceedings against him under Rule 14(1), which remain in progress.
In view of his continued unauthorised absence, the department placed him under suspension on July 20, 2026, and disciplinary proceedings continue under the applicable rules.
Separately, Uttarakhand Police also questioned the significance of Sher Singh’s public announcement of resignation during the CJP protest in Delhi. In a statement issued in Hindi, the department said Sher Singh has remained suspended since 2025 after being named in a serious criminal case and has not been in active police service since then.
The police alleged that the investigation into the 2025 case found Sher Singh actively associated with the criminal gang run by gangster Praveen Valmiki, who faces multiple serious criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, extortion and illegal land grabbing, and is currently lodged in jail.
According to the police, Sher Singh allegedly worked with gang members, including Manish Baller, Hasan Abbas Zaidi and others, to intimidate local residents, facilitate illegal occupation of land and derive financial benefits from disputed properties.
The department further alleged that the gang repeatedly threatened a widow from Roorkee and her family. Police claimed the gang earlier opened fire on the woman’s brother and brother-in-law, forcing the family to relocate, after which her land was allegedly occupied illegally and fraudulently sold.
Police also alleged that while serving as a constable, Sher Singh misused his official position by meeting gangster Praveen Valmiki several times at Sitarganj Jail and Roorkee court and allegedly attempted to pressure the victim and her family to withdraw the case. Investigators further alleged that the victim was intimidated during court hearings and that Sher Singh and other gang members profited from illegal transactions involving the disputed property.
The police said sufficient evidence led to Sher Singh’s arrest on September 15, 2025, following which he was sent to judicial custody. He later secured bail from the Uttarakhand High Court on November 7, 2025. The department suspended him immediately after his arrest, and he has remained out of active police service since then.
Officials said necessary legal and departmental action is now being taken against Sher Singh over his recent remarks at the student protest in Delhi, in addition to the ongoing dismissal proceedings related to the earlier criminal case.
– Ends
Published By:
Akshat Trivedi
Published On:
Jul 25, 2026 00:04 IST
