Krishna Pujari
In a startling revelation from a recent RTI inquiry, it has been confirmed that the Mumbai Police have been constructing a police chowki near Adarsh Vidyalaya, Dattar Colony, Kanjur Marg East, without the necessary permissions from the BMC’s Building Proposal Department. This development raises serious concerns about the adherence to legal building norms and the transparency of Mumbai Police operations in the city.
Initiated by a concerned citizen, Manish Kotian, the inquiry reveals a worrying trend of discrepancies in the enforcement of building regulations. While the common citizens of Mumbai diligently follow BMC rules, the Mumbai Police’s involvement in the unauthorized construction of a beat chowkie seems to blatantly bypass these regulations. The response from the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bhandup, which states the lack of permission from the BMC, only adds to the gravity of the situation. The BMC, through its Junior Engineer Rohan Sheravate, has issued a notice to the Mumbai Police following the complaint.
Further complicating matters, the Mumbai Police have refrained from disclosing the name and financier of the contractor responsible for this illegal structure. Their vague explanation, citing ‘public cooperation’ as the source of construction, does little to dispel the clouds of doubt and suspicion. This lack of transparency is not only alarming but also undermines the public’s trust in one of the city’s key law enforcement agencies.
Despite requests for a statement, the Public Relations Officer of Mumbai Police, Vishal Thakur, has remained silent on the issue. This silence from a prominent authority figure within the police force only exacerbates the situation, leading to public outcry and demands for accountability. The citizens of Mumbai deserve a police force that not only enforces the law but also abides by it, ensuring fairness and transparency in all its operations. The Mumbai Police must address this issue immediately and take corrective measures to restore public confidence in their commitment to upholding the law.