Sub-Inspector (SI) Ashok Kumar Chouhan of the Ludhiana Traffic Police is widely known for his social work and has emerged as one of the most popular policemen on social media. With 438K followers on Instagram and over 20 lakh subscribers on YouTube (YT), he regularly shares heart-warming videos of himself helping the poor and needy while carrying out his official duties.
Sub-Inspector Ashok Chouhan helps a physically challenged person in Ludhiana. Photo: ASHWANI DHIMAN
The police force often faces a negative public perception, but SI Chouhan’s compassionate approach has helped change the way many people view the khaki uniform. His acts of kindness have shown that policing is not just about enforcing the law but also about serving society.
He keeps shoes, clothes, food items, helmets and other essential supplies in his vehicle. Whenever he comes across someone in need, he stops and offers assistance based on their requirements. What makes his efforts even more special is that he often spends money from his own pocket, saying that helping others gives him immense satisfaction.
Most of his videos receive lakhs of views, with several crossing the million mark. One such video, in which he gifted a new pair of shoes to a pedestrian walking in worn-out footwear, received more than 12 million views on Instagram.
Speaking to The Tribune, SI Chouhan recalled an incident from August 2010, when he was posted as a Head Constable in Ludhiana. While returning home after duty, he saw a family stranded on the roadside after their car broke down. Since it was nighttime, he tried to repair the vehicle himself but could not fix the problem. He then went to Oswal Cancer Hospital Chowk, brought a mechanic, and helped get the car repaired.
The Ludhiana-based family, who were returning from a wedding in Patiala, resumed their journey after the repair. However, as they left, Chouhan noticed a gold, diamond-studded necklace lying on the road. He immediately chased their vehicle and returned the valuable jewellery to the family. The family was astonished, as the necklace was worth several lakhs.
“When the family saluted the khaki, it gave me immense inner satisfaction for being a part of the Punjab Police,” SI Chouhan said. In recognition of this gesture, he received a special commendation from the Ludhiana Police on August 15, 2015. He was also honoured by the Ludhiana Police in 2025 for saving the lives of occupants of an Innova car that caught fire in 2021.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, SI Chouhan started his YouTube and Instagram accounts to share videos of his social initiatives. “Within a few days, my followers grew from thousands to lakhs,” he said. He received YouTube’s Silver Creator Award after crossing one lakh subscribers and, two years ago, was honoured with the Golden Play Button after his channel crossed 20 lakh (two million) subscribers.
Despite having a massive following, Chouhan has never earned income from YouTube or Instagram and has no plans to monetise his platforms. “My purpose behind making these videos is not to earn money but to inspire others to participate in social work and help those in need. My grandfather is my role model; he used to help people. I will continue to serve society and make the khaki proud,” he said.
Videos helped reunite people with their families
Chouhan has also shared several instances where his videos helped reunite people with their families. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he posted a video of a critically ill man lying on the road. The man’s family in West Bengal identified him through the video shared on Chouhan’s social media handle and travelled to Ludhiana to bring him back home. In another instance, one of his videos helped reunite a missing man from Kotkapura with his family. “I receive calls from across India. People motivate me, and even my seniors in the department encourage me to continue my social work,” said SI Chouhan.