By Manisha Sahu, America News World
September 24, 2025
Jhansi, September 23, 2025 — A police encounter in Uttar Pradesh has come under sharp public scrutiny after a video surfaced online showing a kidnapping accused smiling while being escorted by police officers. The viral clip, recorded in Hamirpur district on Sunday night, has ignited a debate on social media about the authenticity of the encounter, with many users raising questions over how someone allegedly shot in the leg could still smile so casually.
The video that stirred controversy
The clip, which quickly spread across social platforms, shows a young man identified as Vivek Rajpoot, the main accused in a kidnapping case, being taken away by police officers. Despite having reportedly sustained a bullet wound in his leg during the encounter, Vivek is seen smiling and even appearing amused.
In the background, one of the police officers can be heard sternly warning, “Don’t laugh!” and instructing someone nearby to stop recording the video. Almost immediately, the accused drops his smile and adopts a serious expression.
This sequence of events — the smile, the warning, and the sudden change in demeanor — has raised doubts over whether the encounter unfolded as officially described. Critics online claim the clip looks staged, with many suggesting the shooting may have been fabricated to project a “successful operation” against the accused.
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Police version of events
According to the police, the incident was part of an ongoing crackdown on individuals accused of kidnapping and assaulting a 28-year-old man on Friday. The victim was allegedly abducted by a group of half a dozen men, beaten, and later abandoned near a bus stop in Hamirpur.
Speaking to reporters, Circle Officer (Rath) Rajiv Pratap Singh explained that police received a tip-off on Sunday evening about the whereabouts of the main accused. “We were informed that Vivek Rajpoot was hiding near Malwa Road. A team was dispatched, and a trap was laid to apprehend him. When confronted, Vivek opened fire at the police team. In retaliation, he was shot in the leg and subsequently arrested,” Singh said.
The officer further clarified the viral video controversy, insisting that the remark “Don’t laugh” was not directed at the accused but at one of the constables present during the operation. “The officer was asking a constable not to laugh, not the accused. Unfortunately, the clip was misinterpreted online,” he explained.
Social media reactions
Despite the official clarification, the video has fueled intense debate across social media platforms. Many users expressed disbelief over the sequence of events, pointing to the accused’s smile as evidence of a staged encounter. Comments such as “How can someone smile moments after being shot?” and “This looks like a scripted drama” were widely circulated.
Some users, however, came to the defense of the police, suggesting that social media audiences were jumping to conclusions without understanding the full context. They argued that stress, adrenaline, or shock could explain the accused’s unusual demeanor.
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Encounter culture under spotlight
The incident has reignited discussions around Uttar Pradesh’s long-standing “encounter culture.” Over the years, police in the state have been both praised and criticized for their reliance on armed encounters to deal with alleged criminals. While some see it as a deterrent against crime, critics argue that many encounters are staged to show results or settle scores.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for greater accountability and transparency in such operations. The Hamirpur case, amplified by the viral video, has once again highlighted the fragile line between legitimate police action and questionable practices.
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Who is Vivek Rajpoot?
Police describe Vivek Rajpoot as the prime suspect in the kidnapping case reported last week. Along with five accomplices, he allegedly abducted a 28-year-old man, subjected him to violence, and abandoned him near a bus stop. After the crime, the group reportedly went into hiding.
The Sunday night operation was aimed at bringing Vivek into custody. Authorities claim that his opening fire on the police team left them with no option but to retaliate. Following his arrest, he was taken to a local hospital for treatment of the leg injury.
Official defense and next steps
Despite the criticism, local police officials remain firm in defending their version of events. “This was a genuine police action based on credible intelligence. The accused was armed and dangerous. The team acted within the framework of law,” said CO Singh.
Investigations into the kidnapping case continue, and police are still on the lookout for Vivek’s accomplices. Authorities insist that the viral video is being misrepresented and that any doubts over the encounter’s authenticity are misplaced.
Public trust at stake
The controversy underscores the delicate balance between maintaining public order and protecting civil liberties. While encounters are often justified as necessary in combating crime, incidents like these risk eroding public trust in law enforcement.
As the video continues to circulate, questions linger: Was the Hamirpur encounter staged for optics, or was it an authentic operation that social media has misunderstood? For now, the debate rages on, with the truth likely to unfold as investigations proceed.
The viral video of the injured accused smiling and the police officer’s curt warning of “Don’t laugh” has sparked a storm well beyond Jhansi and Hamirpur. It has drawn national attention to the accountability of law enforcement and reignited the debate around India’s controversial encounter policing. Whether this episode becomes another example of public mistrust or serves as a reminder for greater transparency in police operations remains to be seen.
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