MUZAFFARABAD (By Safeer Raza Chughtai Kashmir English): A police officer posted at the Lines Headquarters Reserve Police Muzaffarabad has been suspended for minor negligence in uniform, sparking debate within police circles about the proportionality of disciplinary measures.
According to official sources, Police Officer Muhammad Farooq Shams (No. 777) was suspended with immediate effect after Superintendent of Police Reserve, Muhammad Riaz Mughal, observed that the guard officer’s belt was not properly aligned as per the prescribed uniform pattern during an inspection on August 1, 2025.
The SP Reserve not only ordered his suspension but also directed a formal departmental inquiry, instructing DSP Reserve Headquarters to submit a report soon. A separate charge sheet has also been issued against the officer.
While some officers have supported the move as a strict enforcement of police discipline, others have criticized it as excessive and demoralizing.
A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked, “Loosening the belt is a correctable mistake, for which a verbal warning is sufficient. A harsh measure like suspension demoralizes the officers and hurts their self-esteem.”
Discipline and proper uniformity remain core values in the police force. However, some insiders believe that overly strict actions can create resentment and a sense of injustice among lower-ranking officers.
The case now hinges on the outcome of the departmental inquiry, which will determine whether leniency or strict disciplinary precedent will prevail.
