MSHRC initiates probe in police raids, activists slam moral

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission has initiated a probe into last week's raids by Malwani police at hotels and a beach here taking suo motu cognisance of the matter.
"Yes, on the basis of a report published in a daily, we have initiated an inquiry into the conduct of police officials and would seek details of action (raids) from Police Commissioner," MSHRC Chairmam Justice S R Bannurmath told PTI.
"I have to make an inquiry and call for the report from the Police Commissioner. If we come to know that innocent persons were troubled unnecessarily, we will take further action," he said.

The Commission has already received few complaints through e-mails from common people but not from the victims so far, he said, adding "we are proposing to register a case and inquire into the incident."
"But, as per the procedure, first we will have to register a case," he added.
Meanwhile, women rights activist Abha Singh slammed the police raids, saying "the police officers made an illegal entry into private rooms of couples who were not violating the law. This would amount to criminal trespass, an offence under section 448 of the IPC."
She claimed that the couples were subjected to "criminal restraint and wrongful confinement for about five hours", which is an offence under IPC sections 341 and 342.

"Since these are cognisable sections, the lawful course is to file an FIR against the defaulting cops so that the rule of law prevails," she said.