A traffic constable has been removed from his posting and taken off traffic duty after a video showing an incident involving a cyclist near Sindoor Bridge in South Mumbai went viral on social media. The incident took place at a junction located a few metres from the bridge. After the video went viral, police initiated disciplinary action against the constable, who was posted with the Paydhuni Traffic Division at the time.
According to police sources, the constable has now been removed from the division and taken off traffic duty.
Traffic Cop Faces Disciplinary Action
The road at the junction is closed during peak hours due to heavy traffic. Barricades are placed at the spot and vehicles are not permitted to take a left, right or U-turn from the stretch during the restricted period.
According to police sources, a VIP vehicle reached the junction during this period. Personnel from the Special Protection Unit began moving the barricades by hand to allow the vehicle to pass. The traffic constable present at the location also assisted in moving the barricades.
Meanwhile, a cyclist approached the stretch from the opposite direction. The bicycle had heavy luggage placed on its carrier.
Police sources said that while attempting to stop the cyclist from proceeding further, the constable lifted the front wheel of the bicycle. Due to the weight of the luggage, the bicycle reportedly lost balance and overturned.
The incident was recorded on video, with the footage later being widely circulated on social media.
Constable Removed From Traffic Duty
Police sources said that, prima facie, the constable appears to have made a mistake while dealing with the cyclist. Following the incident and the circulation of the video, disciplinary action was initiated against him.
As part of the action, the constable was removed from the Paydhuni Traffic Division and taken off traffic duty.
The police are continuing to look into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The viral video has also drawn attention to the manner in which the cyclist was stopped at the busy junction.
The constable remains subject to disciplinary proceedings, while the incident and the circumstances leading to the cyclist’s bicycle overturning are being examined by the authorities.
Political Leaders Slam VIP Culture
Shiv Sena (Shinde) spokesperson Adv. Susieben Shah didn’t hedge, and reacted to the viral video, stressing that public representatives are for the people and by the people. While leaders do have to attend to urgent matters, it is not a privilege, but preference only in terms of urgency.
“The VIP culture and security protocols should not be looked through the same lens. The latter is necessary for orderly movement. But people should not feel their rights and dignity become secondary every time a convoy passes. Security does not mean superiority in any way,” he said.
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora was the first to call it out, sharing the clip on X. His message was blunt: “Regardless of who the VIP was, pushing a working man and his bicycle is unacceptable.” He tagged Mumbai Police and Mumbai Traffic Police directly: “@MumbaiPolice and @MTPHereToHelp, please take strict action and make sure this doesn’t happen again.”