In a significant display of citizen power, sustained pressure from vigilant netizens has compelled the Kolkata Police to announce legal proceedings against a traffic rule violator. The case, which involved a motorcycle allegedly ridden by a policeman flouting multiple regulations, highlights the growing role of social media in public accountability.
Citizen's Alert Triggers Online Uproar
The incident came to light when Liluah resident Raghav Gupta took to Facebook on November 10. He posted a photograph showing a motorcycle with a police sticker, carrying three individuals near the PTS crossing. The image, reportedly taken on October 30 at 11:39 am, clearly depicted the bike standing beyond the stop line. Crucially, it showed triple riding and both pillion riders without helmets, a blatant violation of traffic safety norms.
In his post, Gupta directly appealed to the authorities, writing, "Requesting to Kolkata Police and Kolkata Traffic Police take necessary action against this bike and rider..." The police's initial response was prompt but procedural. Within three weeks, they replied, thanking Gupta for the post and advising him to lodge a formal online traffic complaint through the official portal with specific details.
Netizens Demand Concrete Action
However, this standard response did not satisfy the online community. At least four dozen netizens followed up with persistent queries, demanding to know why visible evidence required a separate formal complaint. One user, Gopal Khandelwal, pointedly asked, "Why an online complaint needs to be filed for this case where sticker of police is clearly seen fixed on the vehicle body... Kindly take necessary steps against the violation of traffic rules."
This collective online scrutiny kept the issue alive, creating a wave of public demand for accountability, especially since the vehicle in question bore markers suggesting it belonged to a police personnel.
Police Confirm Legal Action After Probe
Finally, on Friday, the Kolkata Police responded to the mounting public pressure. In an official update on the social media thread, they confirmed that "necessary legal action was initiated" against the biker. While the police announcement did not explicitly confirm if the violator was indeed a police officer, it marked a victory for citizen-led vigilance.
A senior traffic police officer explained to TOI that the probe took "some time" as investigators needed to meticulously match the footage from the post with their records and verify the specifics of the violations. The officer's statement underscores the procedural steps taken before any official action could be declared.
The entire episode underscores a new dynamic in urban governance: the power of social media to bridge the gap between citizens and law enforcement. It demonstrates how persistent, factual public pressure can lead to institutional accountability, ensuring that rules are upheld uniformly, regardless of the alleged violator's affiliation.
