- Inspector Vijay Kumar has been suspended by the Himachal Pradesh Police for allegedly earning ₹6,000 through social media platforms without authorization.
- A departmental inquiry has been initiated into the allegations against Kumar, who is accused of violating service conduct rules by pocketing unauthorized revenue from personal music albums and monetized content.
- Deputy Superintendent of Police Kamal Kishore will lead the inquiry and is expected to submit findings within three months.
- Kumar's written response to a show-cause notice was deemed unsatisfactory and lacking in merit, prompting the suspension.
- The ‘Harmony of the Pines’ orchestra, led by Kumar, gained national recognition after participating in the reality show ‘Hunarbaaz: Desh Ki Shaan’ in 2022.
- The police department had previously issued guidelines restricting personnel from posting entertainment-oriented content on social media while in uniform.
- Kumar's actions are considered a violation of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules and the Punjab Police Rules.
Himachal Pradesh Police suspended inspector Vijay Kumar, the lead of the acclaimed 'Harmony of the Pines' orchestra, for allegedly earning ₹6,000 monthly through social media without proper authorization. A departmental inquiry has been initiated following his unsatisfactory response to a show-cause notice regarding his private musical ventures.123478
The inquiry, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Kamal Kishore, aims to investigate allegations that Kumar violated service conduct rules by pocketing unauthorized revenue from personal music albums and monetized content on platforms like Facebook. His response to the notice was deemed unsatisfactory, lacking merit and documentary evidence.56
The police department's crackdown is based on a December 2025 policy that prohibits personnel from creating entertainment content while in uniform. This policy aims to maintain the dignity and discipline associated with police work. Violations can lead to severe disciplinary actions, including suspension or dismissal.
Kumar, who has a significant social media following, gained national recognition after the orchestra's participation in the reality show 'Hunarbaaz: Desh Ki Shaan' in 2022, where they finished as finalists. The orchestra has since performed at numerous events, becoming a major attraction at state functions. The inquiry is expected to conclude within three months, as directed by DGP Ashok Tewari.
“Kumar earned ₹6,000 monthly via Facebook without permission, violating a December 2025 SOP banning uniformed content. His July 3 reply was unsatisfactory, prompting a three-month probe; the Harmony of the Pines orchestra he led was a 2022 reality show finalist.”
The Indian Express
