A video of the incident has gone viral online, showing Constable Shyam Ji Shukla shouting at a shopkeeper and attempting to intimidate him. The Sitapur police constable has now been suspended after the footage revealed him abusing the shop owner and threatening him while brandishing a gun. Senior officers have ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident by the Circle Officer.
The confrontation took place late Friday night at a shop near Lalbagh Chauraha in the city Kotwali area of Sitapur. In the 1-minute-14-second video, the constable is seen barging into the store and arguing aggressively with the shopkeeper. Witnesses and CCTV evidence indicate that the shop — popularly known as Store 99 — was in the process of closing when the constable walked in and demanded items. When the shopkeeper explained that everything in the store was priced at ₹99, the constable allegedly became enraged.
According to the complaint and CCTV footage, the confrontation escalated further when Constable Shukla allegedly demanded a gold chain from the shop owner. The entire incident was recorded on the store’s security cameras and the footage spread rapidly across social media, drawing heavy public criticism and concerns over policing standards in the district.
As outrage mounted online and locally, Superintendent of Police Ankur Agarwal intervened and ordered immediate action. Constable Shukla was suspended on Saturday morning to allow a fair and unbiased investigation. The Circle Officer has now been assigned to gather statements, review the footage and examine all available evidence. Police officials stated that further action will follow once the inquiry is complete.
The incident has renewed conversations in Sitapur about police accountability, with residents and civic groups demanding stricter oversight and improved disciplinary mechanisms within the force.
