Akela
THANKS to Assistant Commissioner of Police J J Jadhav for issuing a Demi Official (DO) letter against Senior Inspector Prakash Prabhakar Gosavi of Mankhurd police station for deliberately delaying the registration of FIR and arrest of a molestation accused. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP, zone 6) is conducting the inquiry against Gosavi, a senior police officer told ABI here on Thursday.
On May 12, 2015, ABI (abinet.org) published an article under the headline: ‘Wanted molester spotted marrying in the area under nose of Mankhurd police’.
On April 29, Mankhurd police registered FIR (CR. No-129/2015) under sections 354 (A) and 34 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) against a person named Ganesh Balu Pawar, but failed to arrest him. Taking advantage of his good relations with the police in Mankhurd, Ganesh Pawar was frequently seen roaming about the area, teasing the victim, laughing at her family members and abusing her brother. He was even spotted celebrating his wedding ceremony under the very nose of the Mankhurd police officials.
On May 8, Pawar married (invitation card available with ABI) Ashwini at Shree Krishna Hall, Amarnath Patil Sports Complex, Govandi station road, Govandi (East). Before the wedding, Pawar performed all rites at his home in Mankhurd. Sources also revealed that Pawar invited one of the officials from the Mankhurd police station for his wedding ceremony.
After reading this news on ABI, J J Jadhav, acting ACP of Trombay division, on May 16 issued D.O. letter to DCP to conduct inquiry against Prakash Jadhav, senior inspector, Mankhurd police station. Also on instructions of Jadhav, the Mankhurd police arrested Pawar. On the second day, he was released on bail obtained from court.
“Yes I was arrested on the charge of molestation,” said Pawar, a resident of Beat No-53, Room No-305, PMGP Colony, Mankhurd (West). J J Jadhav refused to comment.
FIR after six months
The police in Mankhurd registered the FIR in the case after six months of the incident.
The 25-year-old victim, Vidya (name changed to protect identity), is a resident of same locality. On December 13, 2014, around 9.30pm she was passing by Ekvira hotel, PMGP Colony, Mankhurd. Ganesh Pawar, who was standing with three others, pointed at Vidya and said, “Saheb, yahi hai woh Vidya. Ise hi uthana hai. Mast maal hai. Khoob maja aayega. Ek baar taste karke dekh lo. Ise hi uthana hai.”
A scared Vidya tried to run away from the spot, but one of the persons, who looked like a policeman, tried to hug her. However, she managed to escape.
The Mankhurd police station, one of the worst police stations in Mumbai, is in the habit of registering a cross-FIR against complainants and is hand-in-glove with anti-social elements. Knowing its reputation and fearing a cross-FIR, Vidya did not approach the Mankhurd police station. On December 22, she complained (copy available with ABI) to the Commissioner of Police, Rakesh Maria, and also Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court demanding action and justice. But nothing happened; the Mankhurd police informed Vidya about receipt of High Court application and proceeded to keep the matter in deep freeze. Then, suddenly, on April 29, the Mankhurd police called Vidya to the police station, recorded her statement and registered an FIR against Pawar.
Sources said the Mankhurd police acted after six months only because Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria suspended Assistant Police Inspector (API) Sanjeev Nimbalkar from Antop Hill police station and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jhavre of Wadala TT police station, over delayed action in a case of rape of a minor.
Senior Inspector Prakash Gosavi said he was not aware about any D.O. inquiry against him. “The previous news of ABI was good. I have arrested Pawar. I am not aware about any D.O. inquiry against me,” he said.