Jodhpur – Just two days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was speaking to top police officers in Raipur. At the 60th All India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police, he stressed the need to change how people see the police. He talked about reaching out to young people, strengthening police setups in cities and tourist spots, and spreading awareness about the new criminal laws. But right in the middle of this, a shocking incident in Jodhpur has put a big question mark on all that talk. A police station officer there was caught on video beating up lawyers and threatening them. This has once again damaged the image of the police force.
The video has gone viral on social media. It shows the Station House Officer (SHO) at Kudi Bhagtasani Housing Board police station losing his cool with a young lawyer over something as small as not wearing the proper police uniform. The SHO grabs the lawyer by the collar, shouts abuses, and even locks him inside the station. On Tuesday, the Rajasthan High Court took notice of this. The Acting Chief Justice called the Police Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and the SHO to court in person. After seeing the video, the court ordered the SHO’s suspension and special training for all police staff on how to behave with the public.
This ugly fight has led to a big protest by lawyers. Groups like the Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association and the Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association called for a full boycott of court work on December 2. Lawyers in Jodhpur High Court and all lower courts across Rajasthan stayed away from work. They warn that if no quick action is taken against the guilty cops, the strike could go on for days. In the afternoon, a big rally of lawyers’ vehicles started from the Heritage Campus and reached the Police Commissioner’s office. They handed over a memorandum demanding justice.
The viral video has created a storm online. Thousands of people are sharing it and asking tough questions about police high-handedness. Many are saying this shows how little respect cops have for the law, even when dealing with lawyers who fight for justice every day.
How Did a Simple Visit Turn into a Brawl?
Let’s go back to what started this mess. It all happened late on Monday night at the Kudi Bhagtasani Housing Board police station in Jodhpur. This station is in a busy part of the city, handling everything from traffic issues to serious crimes. Advocate Bharat Singh Rathore, a young lawyer, went there with his team. There was also a woman lawyer with him. They were there to check on a case for one of Rathore’s clients. The case involved some delays in court work, and they wanted to know why the police hadn’t arrested the accused yet.
According to leaders of the lawyers’ groups, Rathore and his colleagues politely asked the SHO, Hamir Singh, and other officers about the progress. But things heated up fast. Rathore noticed a policeman in plain clothes talking to witnesses without wearing his uniform. He just pointed it out, saying it might not follow the rules. That’s when SHO Hamir Singh exploded.
The video, which is now everywhere on WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook, captures the ugly scene. The SHO yells at Rathore: “Who are you to question us? Are you going to teach us how to wear a uniform? Is your head okay?” Rathore stays calm at first, but the SHO doesn’t stop. He lunges forward, grabs Rathore’s collar, and tears his coat. Then, he orders his constables to drag the lawyer inside and lock the door. The woman lawyer tries to step in and calm things down, but the cops ignore her completely.
Rathore later told reporters outside the court: “We went there as citizens asking for help in a case. Instead of answering, they attacked us like we were criminals. If this happens to lawyers, what chance do ordinary people have?”
The other officers at the station joined in too. They pushed the lawyers around and refused to let them leave until more advocates showed up. Word spread quickly among the lawyer community. By midnight, dozens of lawyers gathered outside the station. They sat on the road in a dharna, demanding the SHO’s suspension and a fair probe. The protest went on all night, with banners saying “Police Brutality Must Stop” and “Justice for Advocates.”
High Court Steps In: A Wake-Up Call for Police
By Tuesday morning, the news had reached the Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur. Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma took suo motu cognizance – that means the court acted on its own after seeing the video. He summoned Police Commissioner Om Prakash, DCP, and SHO Hamir Singh right away. In a tense courtroom packed with lawyers, the judge played the video for everyone to see.
The bench was furious. Justice Sharma pulled up the Police Commissioner sharply, saying the behavior was a “clear abuse of power” and went against everything the police stand for. The court gave clear orders:
- Suspend SHO Hamir Singh immediately under the Rajasthan Civil Services Rules.
- Shift out all other officers involved from the station.
- Launch a full departmental inquiry led by a senior IPS officer, with a report due in one week.
- Provide “soft skills training” to every police person in Rajasthan – from constables to top officers – on how to talk to the public, handle complaints, and treat women, seniors, and lawyers with respect.
- No arrests of lawyers under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 170 without strong reasons.
- Preserve all CCTV footage from the station for at least six months.
The Police Commissioner assured the court that no arrests had been made and promised full compliance. He said the training would start soon, using experts from police academies and retired judges.
After the hearing, Commissioner Om Prakash told the media: “The court’s orders are binding, and we take them seriously. This incident is unfortunate, but it will lead to better training for our force. We aim to rebuild trust with the public.”
Lawyers’ Fury: Boycott Hits Courts Hard
The two main lawyers’ associations – Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association led by President Ratanram Tholia, and Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association led by President Anand Purohit – didn’t waste time. They announced a statewide boycott of court work starting Tuesday. In Jodhpur, Jaipur, and all district courts, lawyers didn’t show up. This meant many cases got delayed – from family disputes to criminal trials.
Tholia, speaking at the rally, said: “This attack on advocates is an attack on the whole justice system. We demand not just suspension, but real punishment for these cops. If the police administration doesn’t act fast, our stir will go indefinite.”
Purohit added: “We are not against the police as a force, but against this arrogance. PM Modi just spoke about changing perceptions – this video shows how far we still have to go.”
The afternoon rally was a sight to see. Over 200 lawyers in cars and bikes started from the High Court’s Heritage Campus. They honked horns, held placards, and chanted slogans like “Police Reform Now!” The procession ended at the Police Commissioner’s office, where they submitted a detailed memorandum. It listed demands like better monitoring of police stations and regular joint meetings between bar associations and police.
Across Rajasthan, similar scenes played out. In Jaipur, lawyers marched to the local police HQ. In smaller towns like Bikaner and Udaipur, court halls stayed empty. One senior advocate from Jaipur said: “Many poor people wait months for their cases. Today’s boycott hurts them too, but we have no choice. This is to protect the dignity of law.”
The Bigger Picture: Why This Keeps Happening
This isn’t the first time police in Rajasthan have clashed with lawyers or the public. Just last year, there were protests in Jaipur after cops refused to file an FIR in a domestic violence case. The High Court had to step in there too. Nationally, the Supreme Court has given guidelines in cases like Prakash Singh (2006) for police reforms and Lalita Kumari (2014) to make sure FIRs are registered without delay.
Experts say the problem is deep-rooted. Overworked cops, lack of training, and a “macho” culture in stations lead to these outbursts. Dr. Meera Singh, a criminology professor at Jodhpur University, commented: “PM Modi’s speech in Raipur was spot on – police need to connect with youth and tourists. But without on-ground changes like better pay and mental health support, incidents like this will keep happening.”
Social media is buzzing. Hashtags like #JusticeForJodhpurLawyers and #PoliceReformNow are trending. One Twitter user wrote: “If cops can beat lawyers in uniform, imagine what they do to daily wage workers.” Another shared: “This video is proof – new laws mean nothing if old attitudes stay.”
The state government is under pressure. Home Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s office said they are “monitoring the situation closely” and support the High Court’s orders. But lawyers want more – like a special cell to handle complaints against police.
What Happens Next? The Road to Real Change
As the day ends, the SHO’s suspension is official. Under Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules 1958, Rule 13, he can’t work or get paid during the probe. The whole station staff has been attached to headquarters for now. Training programs are set to roll out in the coming weeks, focusing on soft skills like anger management and citizen rights.
But will this fix things? Many doubt it. Rathore, the main victim, said in a TV interview: “I forgive the SHO, but the system must change. We fight for people’s rights – police should stand with us, not against us.”
For common folks in Jodhpur, this hits close to home. A shopkeeper near the station, Raju Verma, shared: “Police stations feel like enemy camps. My brother once went for a theft report and came back scared. Hope this training works.”
This incident comes at a bad time for Rajasthan Police. With new laws like Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita kicking in, they are already stretched thin. The force has about 1 lakh personnel for 8 crore people – that’s one cop per 800 citizens, way below UN standards.
Activists are calling for a review. The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) Rajasthan chapter demanded an independent probe. Their statement read: “This is not just a local fight – it’s a symptom of police impunity. We urge the government to act on SC guidelines fully.”
As night falls on Jodhpur, the dharna outside the station continues. Lawyers vow to keep the pressure on. The High Court will review the probe report next week. For now, this viral video has forced everyone to talk about what the police really need: not just new laws, but new attitudes.
Voices from the Ground: Quotes and Statements
- PM Narendra Modi (from Raipur speech, Nov 30, 2025): “Police must win the hearts of the people. Focus on youth outreach and strong urban policing to build trust.”
- Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma (in court): “This kind of behavior erodes faith in law enforcement. Training is the first step to restore dignity.”
- Ratanram Tholia, President, Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association: “We will not rest until justice is served. This is bigger than one incident – it’s about protecting the bar’s honor.”
- Anand Purohit, President, Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association: “Boycotts are our last resort, but necessary when the guardians of law become its breakers.”
- Bharat Singh Rathore, Victim Lawyer: “I went to seek justice for my client, but found injustice instead. Cops must remember they serve the people.”
- Police Commissioner Om Prakash: “We regret this lapse. The soft skills program will ensure better public interaction across the state.”
- Dr. Meera Singh, Criminology Expert: “Without addressing root causes like stress and understaffing, reforms will stay on paper.”
- PUCL Rajasthan Statement: “End police impunity. Implement Prakash Singh fully for a people-friendly force.”
FAQs: All Your Questions Answered in Detail
Q1: What exactly happened at the Kudi Bhagtasani police station?
Late Monday night, advocate Bharat Singh Rathore and his team, including a woman lawyer, visited the station to check on a client’s case delay. Rathore questioned a plainclothes cop about not wearing uniform. SHO Hamir Singh got angry, grabbed Rathore’s collar, tore his coat, abused him (“Tum kaun ho puchne wale? Tum sikhaoge hume vardi pehnani hai ya nahi pehnani? Tumhara Khopda kharab hai kya?”), and ordered constables to lock him inside. The whole thing was recorded on video, which spread fast.
Q2: Why did the Rajasthan High Court get involved so quickly?
The court took suo motu cognizance after the video went viral. Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma summoned top police officers Tuesday morning, watched the clip, and called it a “serious misuse of authority.” This fast action shows how courts step in to protect citizens’ rights when police overstep.
Q3: What punishment did SHO Hamir Singh get?
He was suspended immediately under state service rules. This means no job or salary during the probe. A senior IPS officer will investigate, and if guilty, he could face dismissal or demotion. The whole station staff is also under review.
Q4: What is this ‘soft skills training’ the court ordered?
It’s a program to teach police how to talk politely, handle complaints without anger, and respect groups like women, elders, and lawyers. It covers laws on FIR registration and public dealing. Every cop in Rajasthan – from constables to SPs – must attend. Training will use experts and start soon, with a report to court in weeks.
Q5: How did lawyers protest, and what do they want?
They boycotted all court work on Dec 2 across Rajasthan, delaying hundreds of cases. A vehicle rally from Heritage Campus to Police HQ handed a memorandum. Demands: Immediate suspensions, fair probe, better station monitoring, and joint police-bar meetings. If not met, strike goes indefinite.
Q6: Is this the first time something like this has happened in Rajasthan?
No. Last year, Jaipur lawyers protested FIR refusals. High Court has ordered similar trainings before. Nationally, SC cases like Lalita Kumari (2014) mandate FIRs, but ground reality lags. Experts blame understaffing and poor training.
Q7: What can ordinary people do if police misbehave?
File a written complaint with the SP or DCP. Use Rajasthan Police app/website for online reports. Approach a magistrate or High Court with evidence like videos. Always stay calm, record if safe, and call a lawyer or helpline (100 for emergencies). Groups like PUCL can help too.
Q8: Will this change police behavior for good?
It could, if training is done right and probes are fair. But it needs follow-up – like regular audits and more cops. PM Modi’s Raipur speech highlighted this need. Public pressure from social media will help keep watch.