The Uttar Pradesh Police have faced sharp criticism and widespread ridicule on social media following a viral video from Ghaziabad, near Delhi, which appeared to show a police officer “scanning” people by touching their backs with a mobile phone. The footage, which drew comparisons to a supermarket barcode scanner, sparked intense debate online over the methods and sensitivity of the citizenship verification drive during which it was recorded.
The video, widely circulated on social media, shows a police official holding a mobile phone close to the back of a resident while seemingly performing a scan. Social media users mocked the act, questioning the existence of such technology and criticizing the procedure as humiliating and unscientific. Many demanded an official explanation from the Uttar Pradesh Police regarding the incident.
Roshni Khatun, sister-in-law of the man seen in the viral video, described what transpired during the verification drive. She stated that police personnel, led by the local Station House Officer (SHO), visited her locality on December 23 in a detention vehicle. Residents were asked to present their documents for verification. Roshni said they provided their Aadhaar cards and other legal documents as requested.
According to Roshni, the police officials joked that they had a machine capable of determining whether a person was Bangladeshi. “There was no machine. They touched my brother-in-law’s back with their hands while holding the phone. Nobody threatened or abused us,” she said, emphasizing that the interaction was not aggressive.
Roshni noted that her family has lived in the area since 1986 and originally hails from Araria district in Bihar. Her mother-in-law, Rabila, corroborated the account, stating that the police had told residents a back scan would immediately reveal if someone was from Bangladesh. “We had all our documents. After seeing them, the police left,” she said.
Rabila added that two such verification drives had been conducted in the area in recent days. On both occasions, police officers asked residents to produce identification documents and departed after completing the checks.
The viral video has ignited widespread discussion on social media, with many users expressing disbelief and concern about the methodology of the verification drive. Several observers criticized the exercise for appearing arbitrary and lacking scientific basis. Others highlighted the potential for embarrassment and social stigma for residents subjected to such checks.
Ghaziabad police have yet to release an official statement clarifying the video or explaining the conduct of the personnel involved. Authorities are expected to review the matter and address concerns raised by residents and the public. Meanwhile, social media continues to amplify reactions, with many calling for transparency and accountability in carrying out verification procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident underscores growing public scrutiny of law enforcement methods during citizenship verification exercises and highlights the need for sensitivity and clear communication with local communities.
