Mumbai top cop probing controversial hotel raids transferred

Days after the controversial police raids on hotels in north Mumbai led to accusations of moral policing, Additional Commissioner of Police Fateh Singh Patil, who was in-charge of the area and was probing the incident, has been shunted out and posted to Nanded district of Maharashtra.

The state government, however, said the transfer was not connected to the raids on hotels at MadhIsland and Aksa beach in which nearly 61 people were arrested and booked for “indecency in public” on August 6.

After the police action had sparked outrage, Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria had ordered Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police (North), to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

“Fateh Singh Patil has been transferred to Nanded because Nanded required an Inspector General for a long time. So we had to downgrade the post of IG to deputy inspector general of police and then we had to find an officer for the post. Patil has been selected for the post,” Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K P Bakshi said.

Replying to another query, he said the transfer has no connection with the incident.

A team of Malwani police station officials led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone XI) Vikram Deshmane had conducted the raids at few hotels, resorts and lodges as well as beaches at MadhIsland and Aksa in North Mumbai.

Later, 61 people, including 13 couples, were arrested under section 110 (indecent behaviour in public) of Maharashtra Police Act. However, they were let off after being fined Rs 1,200 each with an undertaking that they will appear before the local magistrate when required.

The police action was criticised by people who called it intrusion into one’s privacy and asked why consenting adults cannot stay together. 

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