Woman caught for drunk driving, alleges she was harassed by cops

Pritika Wadhwani, the 23-year-old woman who the police claimed was drunk and had sped away when they told her to stop on Friday, has claimed that she was subjected to harassment by the traffic cops.

The woman is planning to approach senior police officers regarding the matter.

However, sub-inspector Devdas Paradkar insisted that "Action has been taken as per the law and all the allegations made against us are baseless. Her breathalyser report stated that she had consumed alcohol."

"It is correct that by mistake I entered a no-entry lane near Hutatma Chowk, following two cars that were in front of my vehicle that were not stopped for the violation. On being stopped by traffic police sub-inspector Devdas Paradkar, I had an argument with him and asked him speak on the phone to my father, who was in Chennai. It was agreed that he would fine me for the violation. However, suddenly he asked me to come to MRA Marg police station," said Wadhwani, a resident of Bandra.

She said that being a woman and considering it was late night, she refused to go to the police station after which Paradkar ordered his men to surround the vehicle. She said she got scared and drove off.

"The police followed me and cornered my car within five minutes. My car was hit. they asked me to step out. Also, the control room was called to summon four more vans and 20 cops surrounded me," she recounted.

"I was made to take a breathalyser test as they did not have one on site. I tested negative four times. Not being satisfied, they brought in another machine, which they first put in my friend's mouth, who had had a few drinks, and, without cleaning it they put it in my mouth. The reading was negligible. I protested, but to no avail. I was asked to cough up Rs12,000 as fine for various offences and this I paid. However, I received a receipt for Rs10,000 only. I am planning to take up the issue with senior police officers," she said.