Case Explained: “Walk of shame” imposed by police to address crime – Legal Perspective

The police under the government of Maharashtra, presided over by the Bharatiya Janata Party, has discovered an intriguing approach to addressing criminal activities that could be both effective and advantageous. The authorities have begun not only to arrest and subject criminals to legal proceedings but also to publicly shame them. Such scenes routinely unfold outside the Nashik Police Crime Branch office, reported The Indian Express.

The slogan “Nashik zilla kaydyacha balekilla (Nashik district, a fortress of law and order)” is stated as an accused is taken out, sometimes hobbling or held up by cops on either side and told to face the cameras. It has occurred several times during the past six months, including in presence of media and it is now taking place in other places as well. The measure has motivated police in other regions to address the offenders in a similar manner.

Some persons were captured apologising on video for creating reels that glorify gangsterism outside the Mumbra police station in Thane. They were accompanied by police personal and “Thane zilla kaydyacha balekilla (Thane district, a fortress of law and order)” was declared as the new slogan.

The local police in Akola have been employing the same method to post the before-and-after footage of the perpetrators, likewise announcing, “Thane zilla kaydyacha balekilla (Thane district, a fortress of law and order)” as the fresh motto. An official expressed, “While we would take action against those involved in such reels earlier, the way the video is shot and the balekilla reference is from Nashik police.”

Nashik sets the trend with an even-handed approach

Nashik Commissioner Sandeep Karnik initiated the trend and disclosed that the accused had come up with the phrase. A group of young people had called Nashik a “fortress of crime” in one of the earliest videos which gained traction on social media. Afterwards, the police apprehended them and flipped the meaning of their remark.

“This is where we got the slogan from. Henceforth, anyone arrested in such crimes was made to say Nashik zilla kaydyacha balekilla. That this city is a fortress of law and order,” he voiced while talking to the media house. The individuals who undergo this “walk of shame” in Nashik include a wide variety of accused ranging from street-level criminals and youths charged with celebrating crime on the internet to those with political links such as former corporator and Republican Party of India (Athawale faction) leader Prakash Londhe along with his sons.

Notably, even BJP functionary Mama Rajwade was not spared in a strong message outlining impartial and unbiased action. The self-proclaimed godman Ashok Kharat, who is facing accusations of sexually exploiting multiple women, was recently subjected to the same. For locals and the police, this represents prompt, exemplary justice for the state’s fastest-growing urban centres during the last ten years, with manufacturing hubs in locations including Satpur and Ambad.

A limited selection of these videos was posted on the official Instagram account of the Nashik Police, which boasts approximately 70,000 followers, as per IE’s review of over 50 videos. Nonetheless, many of these originated from private accounts and local news channels. Most of the footage depicted the accused outside the Crime Branch office and in some cases they are seen kneeling, holding their ears and expressing remorse while chanting the slogan.

Several videos follow a before-and-after structure. The crime is illustrated as a reel in the initial segment, while the accused is shown being taken into custody, apologising and referring to the city as “a fortress of law and order” in the second.

What is the purpose of this move

Nashik, similar to other areas, has witnessed the extensive impact of social media with youngsters sharing videos that frequently promote local gang culture or criminal behaviour. Hence, the police commenced a crackdown to stop this. Furthermore, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the city after multiple killings and ordered Karnik to take tough measures against outlaws regardless of their political ties. Additionally, police introduced a helpline to encourage people to report offensive material or antisocial acts

Karnik pointed out that reels created by criminals were influencing impressionable minds. “In some reels youngsters are seen putting up rap songs which have lyrics glorifying street crime. We want youngsters who may otherwise be influenced by such elements to see what happens to them eventually. We asked our cyber police to trace people who were in these reels and registered an offence in cases that are dire,” he informed.

“These people were arrested, told to delete the particular video and upload new ones where they are seen saying how they were wrong in uploading such videos and saying Nashik zilla kaydyacha balekilla. When people see local politicians from any party, who otherwise try to exert their influence and indulge in criminal acts, fold their hands in these videos and call Nashik city a law-and-order fortress, the common man feels good,” the senior official asserted.

Maharashtra emulates the path of Uttar Pradesh

The significant transformation in law and order in Uttar Pradesh has been one of the highlights of the saffron government. The state, which was once a haven for gangsters and mafia due to political patronage, has an extraordinary shift in handling crime and its perpetrators since Yogi Adityanath was appointed as chief minister. Many criminals have chosen to voluntarily surrender, renounce the illegal path and even leave the state.

Thus, it is not surprising that the Maharashtra police has drawn lessons from a similar playbook in dealing with the problematic elements in society. The Uttar Pradesh police have been displaying offenders in the streets of the state to serve as both an example and a warning to others engaged in similar activities.

Amir Zaidi, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, was booked for sexually abusing a Hindu girl and pushing her to embrace Islam in February. Afterwards, he was arrested and police ushered him barefoot through crowded town crossings. “Sir, I made a mistake, I will not look at another girl,” the accused was heard assuring with folding their hands.

He encountered her when she was 16 years old, following her father’s death in 2013 and exploited her vulnerability. He recorded explicit images and videos of her, which were subsequently used to blackmail her into complying with his demands. He even threatened her fiance with murder.

Friends let’s make him famous.

SP leader “Aamir Zaidi” trapped a Hindu girl in a love trap, made photos and videos, then started pressuring her for religious conversion

When the love-jihadi fell into the hands of Yogi Ji’s Kanpur Ghazipur police, he began pleading, “I made a… pic.twitter.com/xUxJKPxf6N

— Oxomiya Jiyori (@SouleFacts) February 5, 2026

A case was submitted against Zaidi and his three aides based on the victim’s complaint under the sections relating to rape, criminal intimidation and the applicable provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Information Technology (IT) Act and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. According to Ghatampur police, Zaidi is a repeat offender with previous allegations related to the Goonda Act, intimidation and assault.

Similarly, 12 history-sheeters were paraded within the confines of the Chandaus Kotwali in Aligarh last month. Officer Satyaveer Singh indicated that there are 65 such individuals registered in their jurisdiction and they are required to report to the police station on various days to participate in an attendance parade each month.

Singh stressed that they are under close monitoring and warned that any form of crime or disorder would not be tolerated. He also added that the fight against crime and criminals is going to continue relentlessly. The same destiny awaited 10 offenders in Gorakhpur.

On 27th October, a violent confrontation transpired between two rival gangs due to a shared dispute at the Aktahwa Bridge in Pipiganj. The members of group assaulted their adversaries with sticks and clubs, leading to 7 injuries. The police were notified and promptly arrived at the location, however, the violators escaped the scene while discharging firearms. Afterwards, 10 accused from “AK-47” and “Red” factions were nabbed and paraded prior to their court appearance. The Gorakhpur authorities proceeded to catch at least 21 accused.

Conclusion

Uttar Pradesh police have distinctly set a precedent for countering crime alongside criminals, and Maharashtra has started to pursue the same route. It is a fact that combating crime takes persistent effort, but the BJP governments have definitely provided a leading example with their strategies, which could significantly contribute to deterring such sinister entities and influence other states.