One would think that deterring a police officer from doing his duty by means of assault or abuse would be met with swift action and serious consequences. But a constable found himself on the receiving end of his own force's apathy as he fought for over a month to get a case lodged against his attacker, who was riding a bike without a helmet.
One would think that deterring a police officer from doing his duty by means of assault or abuse would be met with swift action and serious consequences. But a constable found himself on the receiving end of his own force's apathy as he fought for over a month to get a case lodged against his attacker, who was riding a bike without a helmet.
D Shendarkar, 54, head constable from MHB Colony police ran from pillar to post for more than a month before his seniors finally filed a case and arrested his alleged assaulter. They took action only after police commissioner Rakesh Maria intervened.
On December 12, Shendarkar was on bandobast duty on Link Road, Borivali (West). When he caught a helmetless biker, Bhavesh Mhatre, 23, a tiff ensued. "When I caught him, he started throwing his weight around and refused to show his licence. He started hurling abuses at me for the next 15 minutes and pushed me too," said Shendarkar. The biker even refused to accompany him to the police station and created a ruckus at the bandobast, said the head constable.
"Finally, he came to the MHB Colony police station. But he was acquainted with my seniors and senior police inspector in-charge Anil Avhad let him off as he was well-connected. Despite my repeated pleas about the humiliation that I went through while on duty, he refused to file a case," said Shendarkar.
The head constable then decided to fight till a case is registered. "My senior was not willing to take the case despite approaching him several times. I felt helpless. If being a cop, I'm finding it difficult to get justice, I wonder how much citizens have to struggle for it."
Shendarkar wrote a letter to the commissioner of police along a diary copy of the case. Maria immediately ordered the concerned police station to arrest the accused. "It was only after the commissioner's intervention that my case was registered on January 9 with the MHB Colony police, almost a month after the offence was committed. The accused was arrested on Wednesday and sent to police custody," he said.
Mhatre was arrested for assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace and criminal intimidation under relevant sections of the IPC. "I'm disappointed that my seniors refused to take the case after one among them was manhandled by an offender. Although justice was delayed, I hope this serves as a lesson to both officers and those who show power and money to influence others," said Shendarkar.
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