Bareilly (UP): A Sub- Divisional Officer (SDM) was removed from the post and an inquiry was ordered to probe allegations that he forced a man to 'crouch like a chicken' on the floor, reportedly, as a punishment. 

SDM Mirganj Udit Pawar made the individual crouch on the floor like chicken instead of listening to his complaint and resolving his issue. 

The complainant, Pappu Ldhi, along with fellow villagers, claim they visited the SDM office to address a concern regarding a cremation ground. However, instead of addressing the issue, the SDM reprimanded him and discarded his written request.

Sources said that it has been alleged that the mahant of Shiv temple in Mandanpur village Bhupram Das Baba along with Pappu Lodhi went to the office to lodge a complaint of encroachment of the cremation ground on Friday afternoon.

"I went to his office regarding the cremation ground. I gave him testimonials stating there is no cremation ground in Mandanpur village. SDM sir punished me by asking me to 'crouch like a chicken'. When I asked why he was doing it, he started abusing me. I told him I have come to you for the third time as I have not got justice, and I will keep crouching like this till I get justice. He then said I was only acting. He said there's no mention of a cremation ground in official documents, only a cemetery is registered there, and I won't get any justice," the villager, Pappu, said, reported NDTV.

Police sources said that it has been alleged that instead of listening to the complainant the SDM scolded the youth and forced him to squat on the floor.

"A video of the incident went viral on social media after which District Magistrate Shivakant Dwivedi removed SDM Udit Pawar from the post and attached him with the district headquarters late on Friday night," they said.

Sources said that the DM posted Desh Deepak Singh as the new SDM of Mirganj. "The DM has also ordered an inquiry which will be conducted by the Additional DM (Administration)," they said.

Meanwhile, Udit Pawar issued a statement in his defence, saying that there were six people in his office when he arrived there and one of them was squating on the floor.

"One of them suddenly got in that position as soon as he saw me. I asked him why he was doing that, and requested others to help him up. Meanwhile, someone shot a video at that moment and left. I listened to their complaint and also asked the accountant to settle the matter. The allegation that I punished that man is not true," Udit Pawar said.

The officer has claimed that he did not force anyone to squat on the floor and even directed a Lekhpal to resolve the issue after hearing the complaint.