Initial report into raids on Mumbai hotels to be ready soon: ACP

A preliminary inquiry report into the raids conducted by police personnel at hotels in Madh Island and Aksa beach here will be submitted in the next few says, Mumbia police today said after receiving flak over alleged moral policing.

If found to have violated the law, officers involved in the raids could face departmental action, police sources said.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria had on Sunday instructed Additional Commissioner of Police (North) Fatehsingh Patil to carry out an inquiry into the raids in which 13 couples and 35 other people were rounded up. This came after criticism from people who called it intrusion into one's privacy and asked why consenting adults cannot stay together.

"I have started inquiring with the officials who had raided the hotels, resorts and lodges. Considering the magnitude of the raids by police, the scope of inquiry becomes very wide," Patil said.

"I will also have to talk and inquire with managers or concerned staff of hotels, resorts and lodges where the raids took place," he said.

A preliminary report on the probe will be submitted in a few days, but the final report will take time, the ACP said while refusing to divulge further details of the inquiry.

A team of Malwani police station officials led by DCP (Zone XI) Vikram Deshmane had conducted raids at few hotels, resorts and lodges as well as beaches at Madh Island and Aksa on August 6.

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.

Police had also rescued three women under Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act and sent them to shelter home.