Mumbai:
Mumbai police officer Vasant Dhoble and his infamous raids, often conducted while he wields a hockey stick or a camera, have provoked much anger among Mumbai residents who accuse him of imposing archaic laws and tearing into the cosmopolitan night-life that Mumbai is known for.
An industrialist from Pune, Tehseen Poonawala, has produced a video recording of one of Mr Dhoble's raids, which he says proves that the police officer insults women by accusing them of being sex workers. Two women arrested recently by Mr Dhoble from a restaurant have sued him for defamation.
In the video offered by Mr Poonawala as evidence of Mr Dhoble's violation of rights and privacy, four foreigners are seen being led out of a pub in Colaba in March. The women were allegedly picked up by Mr Dhoble and his constables and taken to a police station for "verification" - they were detained there for an hour.
On camera, Mr Dhoble is heard instructing his officers not to touch the women in an attempt to lead them to the police van. One of the women cries as the group repeatedly asks, "But what have we done?"
Mr Dhoble is seen responding, "Just come...we will record your statement." One of them then says, "I just want to go home" and Mr Dhoble responds, "We will drop you there."
Mr Poonawalla alleges that Mr Dhoble's actions were unwarranted and insulting to the women. He plans to file a complaint against the policeman with the National Commission of Women.