Celebs seek police protection for idols

Celebrities are now seeking police protection when immersing their Ganpati idols.

Juhu, Santacruz, Khar, and Bandra police stations have been receiving calls from several film personalities, businessmen and socialites seeking police personnel when they take their idols for immersion.

There is a provision with the Mumbai police department where in personnel can be provided to private individuals, but at a premium.  But, rarely do citizens opt for this provision.

An actress who is married to a businessman and is closely associated with the Indian Premier League, recently called the Juhu police station seeking protection for the idol immersion procession. Her request was turned down as the police were already short staffed. “Since we have enough police force deployed on the roads for visarjan, there is no need to provide more personnel on a personal basis,” said an officer from the Juhu police station.

The highest number of requests are from the western suburbs, especially on the stretch between Bandra and Oshiwara, which houses film and television actors, businessmen and politicians.