Noida SSP Vaibhav Krishna suspended after viral video chat proved true

Gautam Budh Nagar SSP Krishna has termed the video fake and had lodged an FIR against unknown people for trying to malign his image by making viral the morphed video on January 1.

The Uttar Pradesh government Thursday suspended SSP of Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida) Vaibhav Krishna after a Gujarat forensic lab confirmed the authenticity of his video chat with a woman that had gone viral on social media a few days ago, senior state government officials said.

Gautam Buddh Nagar SSP Vaibhav Krishna (in centre,wearing specs) had also triggered another controversy by ‘leaking’ to the media the secret report that he had sent to state authorities in November last year, alleging corruption in transfers and postings of officers, allegedly involving five IPS officers. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT File Photo)

Krishna had also triggered another controversy by ‘leaking’ to the media the secret report that he had sent to state authorities in November last year, alleging corruption in transfers and postings of officers, allegedly involving five IPS officers.

According to authorities, the forensic report of the video chat said there was “no sign of editing, alteration or morphing”.

Krishna had, however, termed the video fake and had lodged an FIR against unknown people for trying to malign his image by making viral the morphed video on January 1.

The officials said the government had ordered additional director general (ADG), Lucknow zone, SN Sabat to conduct a department inquiry against Krishna and submit a report at the earliest.

A senior official said ADG, Meerut zone, Prashant Kumar was earlier probing the video issue and had sent the footage for a forensic examination.

He said Krishna reportedly leaked a confidential letter that he had written to the state government accusing five IPS officers of conniving with certain builders, extortionists and local journalists to ensure “transfers and postings” in exchange for money.

On receipt of the report, the government had sidelined the five IPS officers by transferring them and constituted a special investigation team (SIT) chaired by director, vigilance, HC Awasthi to inquire into the allegations of corruption within 15 days.

SSP Ghaziabad Sudhir Kumar Singh is one among the five IPS officers to be transferred. He was sent to PAC 15th battalion, Agra and Lucknow SSP Kalanidhi Naithani will replace him as new Ghaziabad senior superintendent of police.

The SIT comprises two members — IG special task force (STF) Amitabh Yash and managing director of UP Jal Nigam Vikas Goathwal.

Prashant Kumar said disciplinary action has also been initiated against the policemen belonging to Gautam Budh Nagar district, led by inspector Rajveer Chouhan and sub-inspector Devender Kumar, for intercepting a journalist in Meerut, without seeking prior approval for the action from higher officers.

“The case lodged by the Meerut-based journalist is also under investigation,” he said.