Controversial Mumbai cop Vasant Dhoble, who hit the headlines for his late night crackdown on pubs and restaurants, has been shunted out of the social service branch and moved to the city's western suburbs.
Dhoble will now be assistant commissioner of police at Vakola division. An order to this effect was issued last night by the Maharashtra government's Home department.
Armed with a hockey stick and camera, Dhoble, known as the 'night raider', burst into pubs and restaurants which stayed open beyond permissible time limit, giving a rude jolt to patrons and staff.
The drive had evoked mixed reactions ranging from outrage to wholesome support for him. Local media had berated Dhoble for his high-handed tactics and curtailing the city's famous night life, but residents in the vicinity of bars and pubs had welcomed his tough stand.
Recently, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, addressing a tourism event, had assured that the city will get its night life back. Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh, soon after taking over, had ordered Dhoble to report to the Crime Branch instead of the commissioner directly which he was doing earlier.
Dhoble was also dragged to the Bombay high court by two women, detained by a police team led by him at a restaurant on charges of prostitution. The women claimed that they were educated with a good background and sought compensation of Rs.one crore each from the police for defaming them.
The Bombay high court had, however, refused to pass any directions against the police, saying Dhoble was only doing his job.
