Mumbai: Two cops suspended for ‘assaulting’ restaurant staff who refused to pay bribe of Rs 100

A departmental inquiry was launched, leading to the suspension of the two constables, Satyanarayan Sambhaji Shinde and Sandeep Maruti Koli who were attached to the LT Marg police station, last week.

Police sources said that Shinde and Koli had reportedly asked a cobbler to collect money from local businesses, including pan vendors and restaurants, in the Satta Gali area of Kalbadevi in Girgaon.

On April 7, the cobbler went to the hotel to collect Rs 100, which the staff allegedly refused to pay, a police official said.

“The two policemen held a grudge over the refusal and returned to the hotel after midnight on April 8. They forcibly opened the shutter and ordered the staff to accompany them to the police station to pay a fine,” said a police official.

When the staff questioned the constables, Shinde and Koli allegedly assaulted one of them with a baton.

“Following the assault, the complainant, Ali Akbar Sharif Shaikh, was taken to the police station, where he filed a complaint. He subsequently underwent a medical examination. Based on his account, the incident was recorded in the station house diary,” said a source.

As the incident revealed that the two policemen had allegedly bypassed legal procedures, accepted unlawful payments, and assaulted a hotel employee, a formal inquiry was initiated.

During the initial inquiry, the suspended constables claimed that they were trying to stop a fight between two groups and had to use force as the local residents who gathered at the spot were uncooperative.

“This incident is extremely serious and significantly damages the discipline and reputation of the police force. Therefore, the two policemen were suspended from service with immediate effect, pending a preliminary/departmental inquiry,” the suspension order said.