In a bizarre case of administrative interference, a local youth in Sambhal was arrested and sent to jail after he reportedly made 17 phone calls to the District Magistrate’s official number just for fun. As per reports, the young man, identified as Arafat from the Saraitareen area, claimed he was merely checking on the well-being of the district’s top official, but the repeated interruptions led to a 14-day judicial custody order for disturbing public peace.
Unnecessary Calls Lead to Judicial Custody
In a peculiar incident in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, a local youth has been sent to jail after repeatedly calling the District Magistrate’s (DM) official mobile number. As per reports, the individual made a total of 17 calls on May 2, claiming he was merely “checking on the well-being” of the officer.
The youth, identified as Arafat, a resident of the Nawabkhel Kachcha Bazar area in Saraitareen, reportedly engaged in unnecessary conversations during these calls. While some calls were answered by the DM’s office, others were received by the district control room. According to officials, the repeated interruptions caused a significant disturbance to public administrative work.
Police Action and Mental Health Claims
The Sambhal police took the matter seriously and arrested Arafat on Sunday evening. He was booked under charges related to disturbing public peace. Following his arrest, the City Magistrate ordered him to be sent to 14 days of judicial custody.
During his interaction with the media, Arafat claimed that he had asked the DM if he would be punished for the calls, to which he allegedly received a negative response. “I was just asking, ‘Sir, are you fine?’ I didn’t think it would lead to this,” the youth stated. As per reports, Arafat also mentioned a previous history of being admitted to a mental health facility and expressed fear regarding a potential return to such an institution.
Timing of the Arrest and DM Transfer
In a notable coincidence, shortly after the arrest was made on Sunday night, the District Magistrate of Sambhal was transferred to Moradabad. While the arrest and the transfer appear to be unrelated administrative developments, the timing has garnered local attention.
The police have reiterated that official lines are meant for grievances and emergency administrative matters, and any misuse of such channels for “fun” or harassment will meet with strict legal action.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a stern reminder of the legal consequences of misusing official government communication channels. While the accused claims his intentions were harmless, the law views the disruption of a public servant’s duty as a serious offence.
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