Anuj Chaudhary — the Sambhal police officer who rose to public attention over a series of local controversies — was promoted recently to the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP). Within hours of the promotion notice, he travelled to Vrindavan and met spiritual leader Premanand Ji Maharaj to seek blessings and moral guidance. The visit, the short conversation reported in press reports, and Chaudhary’s very public profile together created a wave of local and national interest.
What happened — the facts, simply told
Officials confirm that Anuj Chaudhary’s name was cleared for promotion and he was formally elevated to ASP. After the promotion ceremony and felicitations from colleagues, Chaudhary visited Vrindavan and spent time with Premanand Ji Maharaj at the saint’s ashram. News reports say Chaudhary asked the spiritual leader questions about handling complicated criminal complaints where evidence is ambiguous — essentially seeking moral and procedural advice about police duties when facts and allegations conflict.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 9–10, 2025 | Promotion orders reported; Anuj Chaudhary’s elevation to ASP announced. |
| Aug 10, 2025 | Chaudhary visits Vrindavan and meets Premanand Ji Maharaj; meeting covered by multiple Hindi outlets. |
| Aug 10–11, 2025 | Social media posts and regional outlets amplify the meeting; video/reels circulate online. |
Why the meeting was newsworthy
Three elements made an otherwise private visit into a public story: (1) the timing — the meeting occurred immediately after an official promotion; (2) the personalities — Chaudhary is a polarizing local figure and Premanand Ji Maharaj is a high-profile spiritual leader whose public statements have drawn attention in the past; and (3) the substance recorded by reporters — Chaudhary raised a procedural-moral question that directly intersects with public trust in policing. Those three factors combined to produce intense local coverage and social-media circulation.
What the media reported (common facts across outlets)
Regional newspapers and TV channels consistently reported: Chaudhary’s promotion to ASP, the felicitation by senior officers, his travel to Vrindavan, and a brief private conversation with Premanand Ji Maharaj focused on dilemmas police face during investigations where evidence is weak or contested. Several outlets included short paraphrases of Chaudhary’s question about what the police should do when complainants allege serious crimes but physical proof is lacking and the accused denies presence at the scene. These reports are consistent in core facts but differ in quoted phrasing and emphasis.
Supporters: Many view the visit as a sign of humility — a young officer seeking moral guidance to perform duties with conscience and balance. Regional coverage of the felicitation ceremony and social posts from supporters framed the trip as a personal, respectful act after a career milestone.
Critics: Opponents and some community activists argue the optics are poor — public officials seeking counsel from a religious leader who has been in the news can appear to blur the line between state duties and private belief, particularly in sensitive communal contexts. This concern is magnified if past remarks or actions by the officer or the spiritual leader have stoked tensions.
Neutral observers: Journalists and policy watchers note that officers routinely attend public religious events; the central issue is transparency. They ask for public records: the promotion order, any official explanations, and clarification on whether private meetings influence public duty.
