Patil defends suspension of police constable who hugged Dutt

MUMBAI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister RR Patil on Monday defended the suspension of a star-struck constable, who hugged actor actor Sanjay Dutt after his release from a Pune jail, saying the action violated the police manual as well as civil services rules.

"I had asked the IG to probe the matter and action has been taken accordingly, although I am yet to receive a report", Patil said.

Home department sources said Patil had asked police to suspend the constable Rajendra Kalekar and issue show cause notices to eight other constables who shook hands with the actor.

Television channels had shown footage of the constables rushing to greet Dutt on his release.

Patil had asked Satish Mathur, Inspector General of Prisons, to probe the incident.

He declined to comment on a query pertaining to the warm treatment accorded to the actor by Minister of State for Labour Baba Siddiqui at the TADA court and at the actor's residence.

Siddiqui said that Dutt was an old friend and there was nothing wrong in hugging an old family friend.