Mumbai’s Rule of Law Undermined: Unauthorized Police Chowky Sparks Outrage

Krishna Pujari

IN a move that starkly contradicts the very essence of legal compliance and ethical governance, the unauthorized police chowky near Adarsh Vidyalaya, Dattar Colony, Kanjur Marg (East), was inaugurated on January 26, 2024, by local MLA Sunil Raut alongside ACP Jitendra Agarkar from Bhandup Police station. This event not only casts a long shadow over the Mumbai Police and ACP Jitendra Agarkar’s commitment to the rule of law but also raises serious questions about MLA Sunil Raut’s alignment with the principles of responsible leadership. Furthermore, the BMC’s apparent inability to halt the construction of this illegal structure points to a worrying lapse in regulatory oversight, exacerbating the erosion of public trust in Mumbai’s civic institutions. ABI has published a detailed report on this unauthorized police station at Unauthorized Police Chowki by Mumbai Police Raises Questions About Law Enforcement Integrity and Compliance.

The inauguration of an illegal construction by high-ranking officials and a political leader is not just an administrative oversight; it is a blatant disregard for the legal frameworks that govern our society. It undermines the very foundation of law and order and sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that those in positions of power are beyond the reach of the laws they are sworn to uphold. ACP Agarkar and MLA Sunil Raut’s participation in the inauguration ceremony is particularly disconcerting, as it directly implicates them in legitimizing an act that flouts building regulations and legal statutes.

Further complicating the issue are allegations surrounding the integrity of Mumbai Police’s leadership and MLA Sunil Raut’s past activities. Claims have surfaced suggesting that the Special Commissioner of Police of Mumbai, Deven Bharti, may have connections to the underworld, casting a pall over the department’s ability to impartially enforce the law. Moreover, MLA Sunil Raut has reportedly been linked to various illegal constructions, pointing to a pattern of behavior that undermines the rule of law.

Equally troubling is the BMC’s ineffectiveness in preventing the construction of the chowky, despite clear mandates to oversee and enforce building regulations in Mumbai. This failure not only questions the BMC’s competency and integrity but also hints at a deeper malaise of negligence or complicity within the institution. Such lapses erode the community’s faith in their civic bodies’ ability to manage the city’s infrastructure and uphold the rule of law.

The Mumbai Police, ACP Agarkar, MLA Sunil Raut, and the BMC owe the public not just an explanation but demonstrable action to rectify this breach of trust. It is imperative that they take immediate steps to dismantle the unauthorized structure and hold accountable those responsible for its inception and inauguration. Anything short of this will only further entrench the public’s disillusionment with their governing bodies, with far-reaching implications for the fabric of our civic society.