Mumbai police justifies raid on hotels; says action taken following complaints of prostitution

The Mumbai police has tried to clear the air after a controversy erupted when the Malvani police raided hotels in Madh, Aksa and Danapani areas and booked couples for indecent behavior on August 6. 

The Malvani police has claimed that the raids on the hotels near Aksa, Madh and Danapani beaches were conducted following complaints from locals about rampant prostitution, reported a daily.

The police carried out raids in lodges and guest houses in the area and booked a total of 64 people under section 110 of the Mumbai Police Act, fining each person Rs1,200.

Also read: Twitter lashes out at Mumbai police's hotel room raids on consenting couples

The police on Saturday also issued a statement saying there were a lot of complaints from locals about people drinking liquor out in the open near the beaches.

Officers said a lot of drunkards were picked up from the beaches, along with 13 couples who were behaving 'indecently in a public place'.

The police were at the receiving end as the action was criticised by sections of the society, terming it “moral policing”.

The police have also said that hotels can be checked as they are considered public places.

According to mid-day report, some unmarried girls were made to call up their parents. The police also booked three women under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA).

However, some couples have claimed that the police humiliated and manhandled them, whereas the police have denied those allegations.