Why the social media ‘Viral Cop’ lost his uniform?:₹40,000 monthly salary, ₹6 lakh social media earnings; reason behind the head constable’s resignation

Shahdol Police’s suspended Head Constable Vivekanand Tiwari has emerged as a popular social media personality, with nearly 1.88 crore followers across Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. He was suspended on June 3 for allegedly remaining absent from duty and uploading videos on social media during that period. On June 15, Tiwari submitted his resignation from the police service. However, the department has not yet accepted it, and the inquiry against him is still underway. His estimated earnings from social media are believed to be several times higher than the salary of a Head Constable. Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Tiwari denied that his social media income influenced his decision to resign. He said he stepped down due to the mental stress he experienced after being suspended. Know in 4 points why Vivekand Tiwari was suspended 1. Allegation of earning from social media The department alleges that Vivekand Tiwari was earning personal financial benefits from social media by making videos in uniform and had developed a parallel income source. Based on websites that estimate potential earnings from YouTube and Facebook, his annual income is estimated to be around ₹8 crore. That means the estimated monthly income could be ₹6 to ₹7 lakh per month. This potential income is also being investigated in the departmental inquiry. Clarification: He exaggerated these income-related claims. He says that the actual earnings are much less than this. According to him, all social media channels are in his wife’s name. He has already submitted his complete details and his wife’s bank accounts to the department. He claims that records of every transaction are with the investigating agency and he will fully cooperate in the investigation.
2. Allegations of negligence in duty and being absent without notice The department alleges that Vivekanand Tiwari did not report for duty at the scheduled time on several occasions and remained absent without permission. On this basis, the Shahdol Superintendent of Police had suspended him. According to the department, on the days he was absent from duty, videos in uniform were being uploaded on his social media accounts on those very days. Clarification: He states that he was on leave due to a medical emergency and had informed about it in the Traffic Police’s official WhatsApp group. Therefore, considering him absent without notice is wrong. 3. Allegations of private video shooting and commercial activities Police headquarters has already issued directives that no police personnel should create such reels or short videos in uniform that could affect the dignity of the department. There is a provision for action on violation. The department alleges that Vivekanand used to make private videos for social media during duty hours. It is also alleged that he took the services of private staff and videographers for video shooting and got content prepared for commercial purposes. 4. Allegation of neglecting official duties The department says that popularity does not exempt any government employee from official duties. If an employee leaves duty without notice to do private video shooting, it cannot be considered official work. According to the department, Vivekanand was prioritizing private activities over government responsibilities, which is contrary to service rules. Option to work in social media cell also given Shahdol Police gave Vivekanand Tiwari two options… The department says that it has no objection to working on social media, but this work should be done under an authorized position and official responsibility, not as a private activity. Vivekanand Tiwari said – Suspension happened due to misunderstanding In conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Vivekanand Tiwari said that he was not suspended for making reels during duty, but was considered absent due to a misunderstanding in the medical leave process. According to him, the doctor had advised one week’s rest for complaints of mental stress and insomnia. He had shared this information in the department’s official WhatsApp group, but the departmental procedure could not be completed, and his absence was recorded. ‘Resigned due to mental pressure and humiliation’ Vivekanand Tiwari says that during his medical leave, his social media accounts were being managed by his wife and pre-recorded videos were being uploaded. He claims that he never made videos during duty nor neglected government responsibilities. According to him, the income from social media came in his wife’s name and was used for social work such as helmet distribution. Tiwari says that due to continuous mental pressure after the suspension, he decided to resign. Is the reason for resignation mental pressure or social media earnings? Vivekanand Tiwari cites mental stress and health-related conditions as the reason for his resignation. Meanwhile, sources connected to the police department say that the potential income from social media could be much higher than his government job salary, and this could also be a reason for his resignation. However, this claim has not been confirmed. A departmental inquiry is ongoing. Vivekanand Tiwari was recruited to the Madhya Pradesh Police as a Constable in 2013. Later, he was promoted to Head Constable. According to departmental information, currently a Head Constable’s monthly gross salary is approximately ₹45 to 52 thousand. After various deductions, he receives around ₹40 to 45 thousand per month in hand. During approximately 13 years of service from 2013 to 2026, he received an estimated salary of ₹35 to ₹42 lakh. Currently, his age is around 35 years. Under normal circumstances, he could have served for approximately 25 more years until retirement. Taking into account regular salary increments and potential promotions, he could have received a gross salary of approximately ₹3.5 to 4.5 crore during his entire service period. On the other hand, various online websites that estimate potential income from YouTube and Facebook channels state Vivekanand Tiwari’s annual digital earnings to be several crore rupees. Based on these public estimates, the department is investigating whether his income from social media was many times higher compared to the salary received from government service.