Bombay High Court seeks explanation from police officer in plea challenging illegal detention of Mumbai lawyer for 35 minutes

The Bombay High Court on Friday sought explanation from a police officer accused of illegally detaining a Mumbai lawyer who claimed to have visited the police station on behalf of his client..The plea challenged the action of "pushing the petitioner into a detention cell" for 35 minutes when he had visited the police station on behalf of his client in his capacity as advocate..The petitioner, Pradeep Gaikwad sought an enquiry and detailed report into his alleged illegal detention on May 12, 2021 He also prayed that directions be issued to the police station to produce the CCTV footage of the station.He has also sought compensation to the tune of Rs. 5 lakh..A Bench of Justices SS Shinde and NJ Jamadar asked the Public Prosecutor to get instructions into the actions of the police inspector who was added as respondent in the plea. The public prosecutor suggested that the concerned police officer could remain present in court for the next hearing. The Court agreed with the suggestion and passed a direction to ensure that the officer remains present for the next hearing..The petition filed through advocates Aniesh Jadhav and Nikhil Maneshinde stated that he was representing his client, Narsamma Gudimella in a matter pertaining to their rights as slum dwellers..Gaikwad stated in his petition that on March 2, 2021, an employee of a developer’s company entered his client’s house and started using unlawful force with an intention to forcibly evict her..After the slum was completely demolished despite a police complaint against the employee, Gudimella’s son rushed to Pant Nagar to register a complaint, however the police refused to entertain him..When Gaikwad stepped in to speak with the police officer, on the apprehension that Gaikwad was shooting the conversation on camera, the police officer took him into custody.Gaikwad’s colleagues then rushed to the police station to speak to the Senior Police Inspector after which Gaikwad was released from detention..The petition stated that his detention was deliberate to discourage him and his client from pursuing the complaint against the accused.