Selective policing in Doon? Seniorlevel Interference speculated

my uttarakhand news Bureau 

DEHRADUN, 27 Apr: Saturday late late-night incident at a bar in Romeo Lane, off Rajpur Road in Dehradun has brought into sharp focus troubling questions about the consistency of law enforcement in Dehradun, particularly in the context of the mandated 11 pm closure for all bars and liquor-serving establishments. Allegations are that even in cases, where the Doon police appear to act, they are being discouraged by some senior level police officers.

Despite repeated drives by the police to ensure compliance, the ground reality appears far more uneven. On Saturday night, the Romeo Lane bar was found operating well beyond the stipulated deadline, with activity continuing past 12:30 am. Acting on complaints, local police personnel led by SP City Pramod Kumar reached the spot to enforce closure. However, the police team was allegedly told not to enter as one IG level officer was partying with his friends and family. What followed has now become the subject of widespread discussion among the Doon residents.

Aneesh Virmani Owner of Romeo Lane
According to accounts emerging from the scene, a senior IPS officer, identified as IG Rajeev Swarup, was present at the establishment when the police team led by Pramod Kumar reached the bar to enforce closure. Allegations are that Swarup intervened when the police attempted to shut down the bar. This reportedly led to a situation where immediate enforcement action was stalled, raising serious concerns about the chain of command and the autonomy of field-level officers.

It was only after SSP Pramendra Dobal reached the location later that the bar was eventually closed and directions issued but by that time, the IG in question had already left the scene. While the eventual closure may indicate corrective action, the delay itself has prompted uncomfortable questions: would a similar leniency have been shown had no senior officer been present?

Rajeev Swaroop, IPS IG, Garhwal Range
The incident also feeds into a larger and increasingly persistent perception within the city. While many bars and pubs in Dehradun face regular raids and inspections and are compelled to shut by 11 pm, there are allegations that a select few establishments are being given a “long rope”. Industry insiders and local observers suggest that this selective leniency is not incidental but linked to alleged intervention by senior police officers and some politicians.

Such a pattern has significant implications. Once the majority of bars are shut following police action, the patrons seeking late-night service are left with limited options. These, it is alleged, are precisely the establishments that continue to operate beyond permissible hours, thereby gaining disproportionate business advantage. This not only distorts fair competition but also creates a parallel, informal system of compliance dictated not by law but by influence. It is also being alleged that certain police officers or those in the administration have personal business interests in these establishments,

Pramod Kumar SP City
The credibility of enforcement agencies rests heavily on the principle of uniform application of rules. When enforcement appears selective, it risks eroding public confidence. The notion of “Mitra Police” is premised not merely on approachability but also on fairness and accountability. Incidents such as the one in Romeo Lane threaten to dilute that image.

Compounding the issue are references in public discourse to previous controversies involving senior police officers, including allegations of selective and preferential behaviour and the public conduct that has drawn criticism. While these claims require formal substantiation, their repeated mention does indicate a growing trust deficit.

The larger question, therefore, is not limited to one night’s incident only. It is about whether the system itself is functioning with internal consistency. Are orders being implemented uniformly across all establishments? Are the field level officers really empowered to act without fear or favour against all the violators without being selective? And crucially, is there adequate oversight to ensure that no individual, regardless of rank, can undermine due process?

It must be pointed here that the Dehradun police in general, in recent months, have projected a proactive stance through frequent raids and enforcement drives. However, incidents such as the one that happened last Saturday clearly overshadow those efforts.

Restoring confidence will require more than routine action. It calls for transparency, internal accountability, and, if necessary, an impartial inquiry into allegations of selective enforcement and senior-level interference.

It may also be recalled here that role of some senior police officers in Uttarakhand has been subject of wide speculations and allegations. Inaction against land mafias and builders like Puneet Aggarwal and owner of a prime mall located at Rajpur Road despite registration of cases by the victims has been attributed by the observers to undue intervention by senior police officers. Allegations are that some Police officers also have personal interest in settling property disputes and deals.