The Bombay High Court on Jan 6 directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to address the misconduct of a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) who sent a Facebook friend request to a woman complainant at midnight. The Court criticized the officer’s behavior, stating it was “unacceptable” and expressed concern over his lack of remorse. The incident emerged during a hearing of the woman’s petition, where she also alleged police inaction regarding a theft case involving Rs 15 lakh worth of belongings. The Court has scheduled the next hearing for January 14.
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MAHARASHTRA: The Bombay High Court 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.
This decision came during a hearing where the Court expressed its disapproval of 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, comprising Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale, questioned.
The PSI defended his actions by claiming the friend request was sent “by mistake.” However, the Court firmly stated that such behavior was completely unacceptable.
“A police officer has no business sending such a request to a complainant. We cannot tolerate this,”
-the judges 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 and his approach to professional responsibilities.
The Court also raised an important question about the use of social media by police officers.
“Are these officers permitted to use social media?”
-they asked.
The AGP clarified that such use is not allowed.
The High Court then instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to join the next hearing virtually and present details of the action to be taken against the PSI. Furthermore, the Court criticized the PSI’s demeanor, noting,
“There is no remorse, absolutely no remorse.”
The case stemmed from a petition filed by a woman seeking an investigation into a complaint she had lodged at the Samata Nagar Police Station in Mumbai. The petitioner, who lives in Ghatkopar and cares for her schizophrenic husband, shared that her daughter had been temporarily staying with her due to a health issue.
In August 2024, the daughter’s belongings, including cash and ornaments worth approximately Rs 15 lakh, were forcibly taken from her rented Kandivali home at the direction of her estranged husband. Despite the woman’s repeated complaints to the police, no FIR was registered, nor were any statements taken. This inaction forced her to seek intervention from the High Court.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyers, advocates Vijay Kantharia and Shubhada Salvi, highlighted that the PSI had also been making late-night calls to the complainant under the guise of recording her statement.
After reviewing the matter, the Court scheduled the next hearing for January 14.
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