Probe case of illegal detention: Bombay HC to cop

The Bombay high court on Monday directed additional commissioner of police (south region) K Padmanabhan to conduct an inquiry against two officers of Matunga police station in an alleged case of illegal detention. 

“Considering the nature of allegations, we deem it appropriate to direct the additional CP (South) to conduct an inquiry into the allegations made by the petitioner,” observed the court.

A division bench of justice Dilip Bhosale and justice ARJoshi has directed Padmanabhan to conclude the inquiry against senior police inspector Deshmukh and police sub inspector Arjun Sawant at the earliest.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Abhaychandra Yadav, 28, a Chunabhatti-based businessman. 

“How can we then expect citizens to come forward and help the police? This is the reason citizens are reluctant to come to police. If such incidents keep surfacing, who will trust the police?” the court remarked.

The court also questioned additional public prosecutor Sangeeta Shinde if any inquiry has so far been done against the police officers concerned.

Yadav, an automobile consultant, moved court last year alleging that he was illegally detained at Matunga police station for about 18 hours in August 2009. Yadav also alleged that he was beaten up by officers at the police station. 

Yadav further stated that he was allowed to go home after 4.35pm on August 13, 2009. The additional CP had then directed DCP (Zone IV) to conduct an inquiry in this regard.