Chhattisgarh government on Sunday appointed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Gaurav Kumar Singh as the new Collector of Surajpur replacing Ranbir Sharma who was removed from the post after a controversial video went viral in which he was seen slapping a youth.
Earlier today, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the incident was condemnable and that he has directed the District Collector to be removed from charge immediately. “Misbehaviour by an official is unacceptable. I am upset about this incident. I apologise to the youth and his family,” Baghel had tweeted in Hindi.
सोशल मीडिया के माध्यम से सूरजपुर कलेक्टर रणबीर शर्मा द्वारा एक नवयुवक से दुर्व्यवहार का मामला मेरे संज्ञान में आया है।
यह बेहद दुखद और निंदनीय है। छत्तीसगढ़ में इस तरह का कोई कृत्य कतई बर्दाश्त नहीं किया जाएगा।
कलेक्टर रणबीर शर्मा को तत्काल प्रभाव से हटाने के निर्देश दिए हैं।
— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) May 23, 2021
In videos circulating on social media, Ranbir Sharma is seen slapping a man who attempts to show him a piece of paper and explain why he was outside during the lockdown. Sharma then throws the man’s phone on the road and ask accompanying policemen to hit him.
This is Chattisgarh, #Surajpur ‘s Collector, Mr. #RanbirSharma
The DM’s version is that the youth was over speeding. The youth’s version is that he had gone to hospital to deliver food.
Whatever it is , this behaviour is outrageous & highly condemnable.pic.twitter.com/weV0oFNYHF— Praveen Angusamy, IFS 🐾 (@PraveenIFShere) May 22, 2021
Sharma had later issued a video statement explaining that the man in the viral video had lied to officials that he was on vacation and there was no proper documentation to justify his claim and the person also misbehaved with officials.
This is shameless behaviour in the name of apology. #ranbirsharma #surajpur #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/LwPPO14mPy
— Soona Pun (@AkashKaSoonapun) May 22, 2021
He also issued a public apology for his outburst stating that his intention was never to disrespect anybody.
Meanwhile, the man in the videos has been charged under the Epidemic Diseases Act for violating Covid-19 norms.