A shocking incident of humiliation and assault has emerged from Surajpur district where a uniformed forest guard was allegedly beaten with a belt and forced to dance by a group of youths in front of his girlfriend. The entire episode was filmed and has since gone viral on social media, triggering a departmental inquiry and putting the spotlight on misconduct and public humiliation.
The incident, which reportedly took place on February 23 at the Devnagar nursery under Surajpur Kotwali police station limits, has left the forest department red-faced. The victim has been identified as Budhram Paikra, a forest guard posted at the Devnagar beat.
Forest Guard Forced to Dance, Then Assaulted
According to details emerging from the viral video, Paikra was at the nursery with a woman when a group of youths allegedly caught them together. What followed was a two-hour ordeal of humiliation. The youths first played music on a mobile phone and forced the uniformed forest guard to dance. Dissatisfied with his moves, they allegedly scolded him before taking out their frustration with sticks and belts.
The footage shows Paikra, still in his official forest department uniform, being struck repeatedly. In a desperate plea for help, he can be heard addressing one of the attackers as "Raju Bhaiya," begging him to intervene. The assault continued unabated in full view of the woman, who sources say is a local resident of Devnagar. After the attack, the youths reportedly sent the woman home and threatened Paikra, warning him to leave his job.
Viral Video Sparks Action: DFO Issues Notice
While the physical assault is a serious criminal matter, it is the humiliation and the viral nature of the video that has caused a storm. The forest guard dancing viral video has sparked outrage and embarrassment within the Chhattisgarh forest department.
Taking cognizance of the matter, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) D.P. Sahu has issued a show-cause notice to forest guard Budhram Paikra. The DFO has demanded an explanation within three days, stating that the incident occurred while the employee was in uniform and tarnished the image of the department. The notice specifically points out that Paikra failed to report the incident to his superiors, leading to reputational damage.
Police Await Complaint for Forest Guard Assault Case
On the law and order front, Surajpur Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prashant Kumar Thakur has stated that while the video has come to their notice, no formal complaint has been filed by the victim yet. "The forest guard assaulted Surajpur video has come to our notice. Currently, no written complaint has been received. If a complaint is filed, appropriate legal action will be taken as per the rules," SSP Thakur said.
The lack of an FIR has stalled any immediate police action, leaving the investigation pending. Sources suggest that the youths involved in the assault are believed to be relatives of the woman, indicating a personal motive behind the brutal act.
Wider Context: A Pattern of Uniformed Misconduct?
This incident comes at a time when videos of uniformed personnel involved in scuffles are becoming increasingly common. A similar case recently surfaced in Rajnandgaon, where an inebriated constable was caught on CCTV beating a fellow Dial 112 driver with a belt, leading to his suspension. The Surajpur case, however, involves civilians taking the law into their own hands against a government servant.
As the video continues to circulate, the incident raises serious questions about the safety and dignity of on-duty government staff in remote areas. While the personal conduct of the forest guard is under departmental scrutiny, the act of public assault and humiliation remains a criminal offense awaiting formal registration.
The forest department and local police are now under pressure to ensure that justice is served and that such acts of public lynching and humiliation are dealt with strictly.
