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This is an archive article published on August 11, 2015
Verification process is long, 5-hour wait is justified: Retired ACP Dhobale
He, however, did not agree with the action of levying fine on the people who had visited the hotel to spend some private moments.
Vasant Dhobale
Retired assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Vasant Dhobale, who was time and again accused of targeting Mumbai’s night life when he was in service, said the drive was justified. He said there was no defined mechanism on how to verify identity of individuals during a raid on immoral trafficking, “which continues to be an issue”.
“The police does not have any mechanism to check the credentials of the people and therefore when a drive under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA) is conducted, the people who are rounded up in the raid are brought to the police station and left after verification,” Dhobale told The Indian Express.
Read also – Mumbai hotel raids: Made a mistake, cops were overzealous, admit Mumbai Police
He, however, did not agree with the action of levying fine on the people who had visited the hotel to spend some private moments. “To fine them was illegal. They should have been allowed to go after the verification process was completed,” he added.
The former officer infamous for his hockey-wielding image said the verification process was cumbersome and ran into a few hours.
Read also – Malvani Raid: Zonal police defend action
“A lot of time goes into verifying the credentials of the people who are rounded up. It is difficult to record the statement on the spot as the panchnama and the recording of statements cannot be done simultaneously. Hence, if they have to wait for five hours before they are allowed to leave, it is justifiable,” he said.
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