The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to "look into the conduct" of a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) who sent a Facebook friend request to a woman-complainant at midnight..A Bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale expressed displeasure over the PSI’s actions. “How can you send a friend request to a woman, who is a complainant in a case you are investigating?” the Bench questioned.The PSI claimed the friend request was sent "by mistake." However, the Court emphasized that such conduct was unacceptable. “A police officer has no business sending such a request to a complainant. We cannot tolerate this,” the Bench remarked. .When the Additional Government Pleader (AGP) informed the Court that the PSI was a new recruit and this was his first posting, the Bench expressed concern about his future conduct. It also inquired whether police officers are allowed to use social media platforms.“Are these officers permitted to use social media?” the Court asked. The Additional Government Pleader responded in the negative.The Court then directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to attend the next hearing virtually and outline the action proposed against the PSI. The Court also took a dim view of the demeanor of the police officer. "There is no remorse, absolutely no remorse."The Court was hearing a petition filed by a woman seeking investigation into a complaint she had lodged with the Samata Nagar Police Station in Mumbai. .According to the petitioner who resides in Ghatkopar and supports herself and her schizophrenic husband, her daughter had been staying temporarily with her due to a medical condition. In August 2024, the daughter’s belongings, including money and ornaments worth nearly ₹15 lakh, were forcibly removed from her rented Kandivali residence at her estranged husband's behest. Despite repeated complaints, the police failed to register an FIR or take statements, prompting the petitioner to approach the High Court.On Monday, the petitioner’s lawyers, advocates Vijay Kantharia and Shubhada Salvi, informed the court that the PSI had also been making late-night calls to the complainant under the pretext of recording her statement.After hearing the submissions, the Court scheduled the matter for hearing next on January 14.
The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to "look into the conduct" of a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) who sent a Facebook friend request to a woman-complainant at midnight..A Bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale expressed displeasure over the PSI’s actions. “How can you send a friend request to a woman, who is a complainant in a case you are investigating?” the Bench questioned.The PSI claimed the friend request was sent "by mistake." However, the Court emphasized that such conduct was unacceptable. “A police officer has no business sending such a request to a complainant. We cannot tolerate this,” the Bench remarked. .When the Additional Government Pleader (AGP) informed the Court that the PSI was a new recruit and this was his first posting, the Bench expressed concern about his future conduct. It also inquired whether police officers are allowed to use social media platforms.“Are these officers permitted to use social media?” the Court asked. The Additional Government Pleader responded in the negative.The Court then directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to attend the next hearing virtually and outline the action proposed against the PSI. The Court also took a dim view of the demeanor of the police officer. "There is no remorse, absolutely no remorse."The Court was hearing a petition filed by a woman seeking investigation into a complaint she had lodged with the Samata Nagar Police Station in Mumbai. .According to the petitioner who resides in Ghatkopar and supports herself and her schizophrenic husband, her daughter had been staying temporarily with her due to a medical condition. In August 2024, the daughter’s belongings, including money and ornaments worth nearly ₹15 lakh, were forcibly removed from her rented Kandivali residence at her estranged husband's behest. Despite repeated complaints, the police failed to register an FIR or take statements, prompting the petitioner to approach the High Court.On Monday, the petitioner’s lawyers, advocates Vijay Kantharia and Shubhada Salvi, informed the court that the PSI had also been making late-night calls to the complainant under the pretext of recording her statement.After hearing the submissions, the Court scheduled the matter for hearing next on January 14.
