By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
A constable in Uttarakhand who grabbed limelight in the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi was facing dismissal proceedings in land grabbing cases in Uttarakhand by colluding with top gangster Praveen Valmiki for which he was sent to jail last year, police said on Friday.
A video of constable Sher Singh’s speech at CJP’s protesting site Jantar Mantar has gone viral on social media. Addressing protesters, he alleged that question papers leaked in recruitment examinations in Uttarakhand were “available in grocery shops,” accusing authorities of failing to curb examination-related irregularities.
During the speech, Singh also declared his support for the CJP, which has been leading protests over alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities. He publicly announced that he was resigning from the police force, although top police officials claimed that he was already under suspension and facing dismissal proceedings.
In a statement issued on Friday, Kumaon Inspector General of Police Nivedita Kukreti said constable Sher Singh, who was posted in Pithoragarh district, had already been suspended on July 20 for prolonged unauthorised absence from duty since June 28 this year and for failing to respond to a notice issued by the Police.
The police also claimed that the constable has a criminal background. According to Kukreti, Sher Singh was previously arrested in September last year and sent to jail for months in Haridwar in connection with a case involving the alleged grabbing of land in collusion with top gangster Praveen Valmiki. He is currently out on bail in that case.
The IG said the dismissal proceedings against Sher Singh had already been initiated before his latest controversy.
The latest action adds to Sher Singh’s legal troubles, with the Uttarakhand Police underlining that his previous criminal case, ongoing departmental proceedings and the fresh allegations arising from his speech will all be dealt with in accordance with the law. The police maintained that strict disciplinary standards apply to all personnel and that any conduct bringing disrepute to the force would invite appropriate action.
It was not yet clear how Sher Singh was allowed to rejoin duty in Pithoragarh after he was sent to jail. Kukreti in her statement said he was absent from duty since June 28 following which he was suspended.