A trend that began in Nashik and is spreading to other jurisdictions in Maharashtra flags the dangers of the police chasing virality by undermining institutional propriety and publicity at the cost of due process. This unseemly “walk of shame” violates the rule of law in letter and spirit, and paints the police force not as a guardian of due process but as the bully with the biggest stick. According to Maharashtra Inspector General (law and order) Manoj Kumar Sharma, there have been no instructions to create such videos. However, the parading of criminals, the performance of apparently forced acts and words of contrition, are not isolated aberrant actions by individual officers. At times, the alleged criminals appear to be limping in the videos.

Source: Indian Express April 03, 2026 12:22 UTC