Guwahati: Meghalaya’s Shillong Police have arrested a Home Guard volunteer after a video alleging threats, abuse and illegal extortion by police personnel went viral on social media, leading to a departmental inquiry and the registration of a criminal case, officials said.
The video, uploaded on YouTube by a user identified as Karan GoalaExpii and widely circulated across social media platforms, accused police personnel of intimidating vehicle occupants, verbally abusing them and demanding Rs 15,000 for an alleged traffic violation. The clip gained widespread attention on January 12.
A preliminary inquiry identified the accused as Reganson Kharlor (35), a Home Guard volunteer attached to the Madanrting Traffic Branch, who was on vehicle-clamping duty at the time of the incident.
According to police, the incident occurred on December 26, 2025, around 9.35 am. A white Maruti Suzuki 800 (AS-01-F-1460), heading towards Happy Valley, allegedly drove past Kharlor near Sawlad and nearly hit him. Kharlor reportedly chased the vehicle on foot, boarded a passer-by’s scooty and intercepted the car at Happy Valley Bazar.
Police said Kharlor entered the vehicle, threatened its occupants—all residents of Cachar district in Assam who were visiting Shillong during the Christmas season—and initially demanded Rs 1 lakh. After the occupants pleaded with him, he allegedly took them towards the Madanrting Taxi Stand, where he illegally extorted Rs 15,000 as a “fine” after two of the occupants withdrew money from a nearby ATM.
Shillong Police have registered a suo motu case at Madanrting Police Station under Case No. 08(01)2026, invoking Sections 308(5), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police have arrested the accused, withdrawn him from all duties, and will produce him before a court following due process.
Police further said they have contacted the victims, who are expected to appear to record their statements. Investigators are also scrutinising CCTV footage from the relevant locations to reconstruct the sequence of events.
The East Khasi Hills district police reiterated that it follows a zero-tolerance policy against extortion, abuse of authority and any form of misconduct, and affirmed its commitment to lawful and citizen-centric policing.