DSP’s Viral Reels, a B//urning Body, and Demands for CBI Probe: Unanswered Questions in the Sur Hasda Encounter

A recent and controversial police encounter has raised a storm of questions and public scrutiny in Jharkhand, with many of them pointing straight at DSP Ashok Priyadarshi—widely recognized for his viral social media reels. The case, which involves the death of Sur Hasda, a four-time assembly contestant, has become a lightning rod for debates on police conduct, the credibility of official narratives, and the role of law enforcement in the digital age.

The Encounter: A Web of Unanswered Questions

Sur Hasda’s body was retrieved after a police operation that, according to the official version, went awry when Hasda—under arrest—allegedly snatched an INSAS rifle from the police and tried to escape, resulting in his death during “retaliatory firing.” However, photos and eyewitness accounts describing severe burn marks and injuries inconsistent with a mere gunshot wound have fanned the flames of suspicion.

“How can a person shot by a bullet have burns on the body?” questions Jayram Mahato, Dumri MLA, who visited Hasda’s grieving family. “Anyone who has seen a burn victim, whether from boiling oil or electrical current, will recognize the difference. These marks are not from bullets.”

The DSP and His ‘Reel’ Persona

DSP Ashok Priyadarshi is known in public memory as much for his social-media-savvy presence as for his policing. Clips of him performing drills on buses or in traffic go viral regularly. This popularity now faces a different kind of spotlight, as critics suggest his interest in practicing law enforcement on social media contrasts with the lack of transparency in the Hasda case.

“If the DSP can make reels aboard buses and at traffic stops, why was there no reel or footage when Hasda allegedly ran?” one critic pointedly asked in the media, highlighting a perceived lack of consistency and transparency.

Legal Loopholes and Protocol Violations

Questions abound regarding procedural lapses:

If the accused was a known criminal with a history, why wasn’t his hands tied (as per Section 46 and 49 of the CrPC)?
How did an under-custody, possibly sick man overpower trained police officers, snatch a rifle, and fire it?
Why are there no reports of injury or retaliation from his alleged accomplices?

Indeed, no other injuries were reported, and no other individuals were arrested from the “gang” police allegedly feared would free Hasda. The circumstances of taking an accused to a forested area late at night, instead of waiting until morning, further add to the skepticism.

Politicians and Families Demand Answers

Political leaders across parties, from Arjun Munda to Champ Soren, have raised pointed questions. Champ Soren asks, “Why did the police shoot Hasda in the chest instead of the legs, if their intent was just to incapacitate him? Why has no member of the alleged gang—claimed to have attacked the police—been arrested?”

Hasda’s family, like many others in Jharkhand who’ve lost relatives to accusations of “criminal activity,” insists on a fair and transparent probe. Several have even refused to accept bodies when convinced their loved ones died extrajudicially.

The Call for a CBI Inquiry

Given the mountain of doubts, opposition leaders and civil society are united in their demand: only a CBI inquiry can separate fact from fiction, ensure the guilty are punished—whether within the police or outside—and provide closure to Hasda’s family. As one leader put it, “Only after a neutral probe will we know whether Sur Hasda was truly an anti-social element, or a victim of power play.”

The Political Backdrop

Sur Hasda’s own political journey was turbulent. Having unsuccessfully contested assembly elections four times on various tickets (most recently for the BJP in 2019), he remained a notable figure. His death, therefore, is not simply a matter of personal loss but of public interest and accountability.

Conclusion

As CID begins its probe, the debate rages on, made all the more intense by the glare of social media and the checkered reputation of a “Reel DSP.” For many, the central question remains: in today’s India, will the search for truth and justice be satisfied with viral videos and official statements, or will pressure finally force a transparent investigation? The stakes—for public trust, for political accountability, and for the role of new-age policing—could not be higher.