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Economic Times
03-08-2025
- Economic Times
How a viral salute video led to the reunion of a Bhopal policeman after 42 years
Synopsis A crisp salute from an elderly resident at a Bhopal old-age home, identified as former sub-inspector Puran Singh, sparked an emotional reunion after 42 years. DSP Santosh Patel's viral video helped trace Singh's identity, revealing his past service and struggles with mental health after his wife's death. Agencies Viral video An elderly man's sharp salute at a Bhopal old-age home led to an emotional family reunion after 42 years. The man, later identified as former sub-inspector Puran Singh, had been missing for decades until a viral video shared by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Santosh Patel helped trace his identity and reconnect him with his long-lost son, a TOI report July 15, 2023, DSP Santosh Patel, posted in Balaghat, was in Bhopal for official training. It was also his wife's birthday, and the family spent the day doing social work. Among their activities, they visited an old-age home in the Patel walked in, an elderly resident stood up and greeted him with a crisp salute and the words, 'Jai Hind.' The gesture stood out for its precision.'He greeted me with a 'Jai Hind' and saluted with a firm chest-up posture, reminiscent of how policemen salute while not in uniform. I was deeply moved by his gesture,' Patel man introduced himself as Puran Singh, believed to be between 85 and 90 years old. According to social worker Mohan Soni, Singh had once served in the police force. After losing his wife in a road accident, Singh turned to alcohol and struggled with mental health issues. He eventually disappeared and lived for decades on farmlands outside Bhopal. Eight months before the encounter, the son of his employer admitted him to the Aasra Old Age Home. Singh's memory had faded, but he remembered being a sub-inspector, the word "Betul," and his interest in who had earlier lived in Betul, tried triggering Singh's memory by mentioning familiar places.'He reacted to the names and seemed to recognise them, but his recollections were incomplete,' said filmed their interaction and shared the video online. It quickly went viral, crossing 10 lakh said Singh likely never retired formally. 'He probably did not retire in a formal sense. Most likely, he was terminated for not turning up for duty after his disappearance.'Ravi Tripathi from Betul came across the video and began tracing Singh's background. By speaking to older residents, he gathered clues and approached retired sub-inspector Johnson Herald. Upon seeing the video, Herald immediately recognised story became clearer. He had trained in Sagar and served in Gwalior and Bhind. After his land was lost to a dam project and his wife died, Singh fell into alcoholism and disappeared. His family presumed him Singh, who was just 18 months old when his father vanished, is now employed in Maharashtra. After learning about his father's identity, he visited the old-age home with his wife, three children, and maternal uncle.'I never imagined I would ever meet my father. I assumed he was no longer alive,' Raja to Patel, Singh was last posted in Bhind. He may now be eligible for pension benefits. Patel added that this was not his first successful reunion through social media.'I have over 40 lakh subscribers and have earlier reunited two other mentally ill men from Bihar and Chitrakoot with their families,' he Masih, who manages the Aasra Old Age Home, shared her memories of Singh.'He kept repeating that he was once a police officer from a village near Gwalior. He couldn't recall his son's or wife's names. He would sit outside at night, guarding the premises. Every morning, he would greet me with a salute. Whenever I responded with a salute and said 'Jai Hind,' he felt I was mocking him. But I truly respected him. His salute was sharp, just like a trained policeman's. It wasn't an act—it was his identity.'
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Time of India
Dalit groom 'pulled off chariot over DJ music' in Mathura
Photo credit: AI AGRA: A Dalit groom was allegedly dragged off his cha-riot and several wedding gu-ests were assaulted after a group of upper caste men at-tacked a wedding procession with DJ in Bhureka village of Mathura district, police said. The accused, allegedly enraged by the choice of mu-sic played by the DJ, and a 'rath', also issued death thre-ats to the groom and other guests if the procession con-tinued. DSP (Mant) Gunjan Singh, said an FIR has been filed and an investigation was underway. She, however, denied that the groom was forcibly pulled off. In his complaint to the po lice, the bride's uncle, Puran Singh, named Krishna, Manish Kumar and Ankur all residents of Navali in Mathura as the main accused. He said, "Around 12.30pm on Wednesday, the three, along with 20-25 unidentified men, stopped the procession, hurled casteist slurs, and assaulted our family members with sticks. They asked us how we could dare to take out a wedding procession with a DJ and a rath in front of us. They pulled the groom off the buggy, stopped the DJ and told us they'd kill us if the procession wasn't stop-ped. I called number 112 and police came to ensure proces-sion continued peacefully The wedding ceremony was later held at the banquet hall under police protection. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo " However, the mob allegedly returned on Thursday morning at around 8am on motorcycles, armed with sticks, pistols, and knives. They stormed the house and assaulted several members of the groom's family. Singh said, "They abused them with casteist slurs and beat them up. They tore the wo men's clothes and vandali-sed household items, inclu-ding cots and a motorcycle." Another police officer said, "A case has been registered at Naujheel police station under several provisions, including BNS Section 191-2 (rioting) and the SC/ST Act. Other applicable sections include BNS 76 (as-sault or use of criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe or compel her to be naked) and 333 (house trespass after preparation for causing harm, assault, or wrongful restraint)." Similar caste-based at-tacks were reported in the district. In March, three men were charged for assaulting a Dalit groom and threate-ning to kill him if he didn't dismount his horse. They allegedly hurled casteist slurs and smashed portraits of Dr BR Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha displayed in the pro-cession. According to the complaint, the groom and the baraatis were forced to walk while the band followed in silence. On April 16, another Dalit groom was allegedly pulled off his mare and thrashed by upper-caste men for playing loud music near their ho-mes. Armed with sticks and sharp weapons, the attack-ers injured several guests, including women and children. The baraatis switched off the music and lights and rushed to the venue in fear
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Time of India
2 illegal ponywalas nabbed in Reasi
JAMMU: Police apprehended and booked two people for illegally operating pony services on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi on Thursday during a drive to make religious tourism safe in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack . 'During routine patrolling near Shri Geeta Mata Mandir, police asked a man, providing pony rides in the name of Puran Singh, to produce his licence card. The photo on the card did not match him. His Aadhaar card revealed his identity as Manir Hussain. In another incident near Ban Ganga Bridge, a person identified as Sahil Khan from Jammu district's Akhnoor was found operating pony service without a licence,' police said.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Time of India
Reasi Police nabs two unauthorized Ponywallas during drive for safety of pilgrims
JAMMU: In a firm crackdown against unauthorized service providers and impersonators on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track, Reasi Police have registered two separate FIRs under relevant sections of law apprehending two individuals fraudulently operating as Pony service providers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Police said, 'During routine patrolling near Shri Geeta Mata Mandir, Bathing Ghat-2, a man claiming to be Puran Singh was stopped and asked to produce his authorized Pony service license. 'As the photograph on the card did not match the individual, Police said, adding, 'Upon further scrutiny, his Aadhaar card revealed his true identity as Manir Hussain of Jhandi-Thakrakote, District Reasi. The impersonator was found to be misusing someone else's authorized card.' 'Accordingly, FIR No 111/2025 under relevant sections has been registered at Police Station Katra, and further investigation is ongoing. Police said, 'In another incident near Ban Ganga Bridge, a person identified as Sahil Khan of Kotli Akhnoor, District Jammu was found operating a Pony without any valid authorization and was violating SDM orders and operating unlawfully.' 'In this regard, FIR No 112/2025 stands registered at Police Station Katra, with an investigation underway.' District Police Reasi said for the sanctity and security of the holy track, strict surveillance, patrolling, and verification drives will continue to prevent such unlawful and potentially dangerous activities and call upon pilgrims and locals to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police personnel.
