Viral video:Cop says wasn't drunk, moves SC for compensation

 A Delhi police head constable, who once served in the security teams of VIPs, has moved the Supreme Court seeking compensation for his "wrong" portrayal in a video that went viral on social media last year showing him swaying and collapsing in a metro coach in an alleged drunken state.

The head constable Salim P K, who could be seen falling in a Delhi metro coach in the video, claimed that he was not drunk but was losing consciousness because of a major blockage in his brain during his travel back from duty.

In his petition, which is likely to come up for hearing on April 1 in the apex court, Salim said that his helpless state was video recorded and circulated by various news channels alleging he was drunk and it amounted to "convicting a person guilty for an alleged offence without trial".

Salim, a Kerala native, who had joined Delhi Police in 1986 and had served in the security teams of Union Minister of Food and Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan, former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, was suspended after the video showed him in a bad light.

He was, however, re-instated in his duty later by the police which gave him a clean chit after he informed them about his medical disability and the suspension period was considered as 'spent on duty'.

In his petition filed through advocate Wills Mathew, he has said that while serving on special security duty of Dikshit, he had suffered a major brain stroke on January 9, 2012 and he was saved after an immediate surgery which left him partially paralysed and with a contorted face.

Salim said that on August 19, last year, when the purported video was prepared, he was on duty, but due to inadequate sleep and not taking the required medicines, he was experiencing memory loss and drowsiness, resulting in a situation in which he could not even change his uniform.

"The act of uploading the video clipping of 37 seconds on social media by a stranger resulted in demoralizing the family members of the petitioner and questioning the credibility of the organization, Delhi Police, where he is working...," his plea said.

Salim sought directions from the court to the Centre, Press Council of India (PCI), Delhi government, Commissioner of Police and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), to take appropriate positive steps like publishing correct facts, particularly his medical disability, to ensure that he regains his lost dignity.

He also sought directions to the government, PCI and DMRC to pay a reasonable amount as compensation or damages to him.

A 37 seconds video clip titled "Drunk Delhi Police cop on Delhi metro" showing Salim was run by various news channels in August 2015.

Salim contended that instead of helping him, "the videographer took the opportunity to record his helpless state and uploaded in social media making a joke out of it, which was published by almost all channels and newspapers throughout India and abroad."

His petition also alleged that his suspension got vide media coverage while his reinstatement was not reported by a single media house.

"In the eyes of the general public the petitioner was drunk while travelling in metro and he is still under suspension. The role of the media the print, visual, social is increasing day by day which requires 'responsible reporting' and there should not be any incidence which will seriously affect dignified life of the citizens because of irresponsible reporting," his plea said.

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