High Drama In Prayagraj: Lawayers Block Highway For Six Hours After Allegations Against SHO In Bank Dispute
In Prayagraj, dramatic scenes unfolded on Thursday when a large group of lawyers staged a nearly six-hour-long road blockade outside the Dhoomanganj police station, disrupting traffic on the Prayagraj–Kanpur Highway.
The protest erupted after lawyers accused the Station House Officer (SHO) of misbehaviour and allegedly brandishing a government-issued pistol to threaten advocate Divya Prakash, who had gone to file an FIR regarding an alleged unauthorised deduction of ₹16.90 lakh from his bank account.
According to advocate Divya Prakash, a resident of Preetnagar and a High Court practitioner, he discovered that ₹16,90,945 had been withdrawn from his ICICI Bank account in T.P. Nagar without his consent.
He claimed he went to the bank on Thursday with fellow lawyers seeking clarification, but the branch manager was unavailable.
Following a complaint via Dial-112, they later reached the Dhoomanganj police station after a telephonic conversation with the SHO.
The lawyers alleged that the SHO spoke abusively and threatened them by pulling out his service pistol, leading to immediate outrage.
Dozens of lawyers gathered at the spot and blocked the highway around noon, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
Senior police officials—including DCP (City) Manish Kumar Shandilya and ADCP Vijay Anand—arrived to pacify the situation.
The protesting lawyers demanded the suspension of the SHO and the registration of a case against the bank manager.
Police Deny Pistol Misuse Allegation
DCP Shandilya rejected the claim that the SHO drew his pistol, stating that CCTV footage revealed no such incident.
He announced that a three-member inquiry committee, headed by an ADCP and including two ACPs, has been constituted to investigate the matter and submit a report at the earliest.
The blockade was lifted around 6 PM only after officials assured appropriate action.
Excise Department Clarifies Reason for Deduction
In a twist to the controversy, Excise Department officials stated that the amount deducted was outstanding government dues, not an unauthorised withdrawal.
According to District Excise Officer Sushil Kumar Mishra, Divya Prakash held a license for a model liquor shop in Preetnagar and had outstanding dues of ₹22,40,945 for the fourth quarter of FY 2021–22.
He said that although ₹5.5 lakh was deposited as security through the same bank on July 3, 2022, a balance of ₹16,90,945 remained unpaid.
A formal notice was issued on July 12, 2022, and was later pasted at his residence after refusal of receipt. The deducted amount was therefore collected as excise arrears.
Official Statement
The allegation regarding drawing the service pistol has been found baseless upon viewing CCTV footage. A three-member committee under the supervision of an ADCP has been formed to investigate the matter.”
—Manish Kumar Shandilya, DCP (City)
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