Mumbai:
A 30-year-old entrepreneur has filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Delhi, seeking its intervention into the alleged unlawful actions of Assistant Commissioner of Police Vasant Dhoble of the Social Service branch.
Pune resident Tehseen Poonawalla, entrepreneur and youth activist has in his petition (copy available with MiD DAY) requested NHRC to ensure that enforcers of law do not become a law unto themselves.
He is claiming that ACP Dhoble has been harassing and using force on patrons, especially women, at popular joints and eateries in his raids. The excessive use of police force, according to the petitioner, amounts to violation of Human Rights.
Poonawalla has asked NHRC to look into the physical and mental atrocities committed on patrons by Dhoble. While submitting video evidence of police beating up hapless people, the young entrepreneur has pleaded with the NHRC to seek a detailed report from the Mumbai Police Commissioner, and has appealed for strict action against those found guilty.
"My mother and sister are scared to enter an eatery after 8 pm at the thought that they might have to spend the night in jail if ACP Dhoble arrives," said Poonawalla. He has also attached pictures from MiD DAY's story of the raid conducted by Dhoble at Amar Juice Center, Vile Parle.
The petitioner has asked that the NHRC issue a notice and seek a factual report from the Home Department and the Mumbai police commissioner on the Amar Juice center incident where Dhoble along with 8 to 10 men had barged into the eatery and began hitting the staff. He has also demanded that if excessive use of police force in the incident is proven, then NHRC must ask the home department to take immediate and stringent action against Dhoble.
The NHRC must also direct the Mumbai police commissioner to ensure that the officers follow proper legal procedures while conducting a raid. "We have met NHRC authorities and have submitted the petition. We are now waiting for the hearing to begin for which we are prepared, as we have many documents and evidence against Dhoble," said Poonawalla.
NHRC authorities stated that they have scheduled a meeting regarding this petition for Friday. The refused to comment on the matter before the meeting was concluded.