Officer made obscene gestures, drug peddler Patankar alleges

A woman arrested in connection with recovery of 12 kilograms of narcotic drug mephedrone from the possession of a police constable last month, today alleged in a court that a police officer had made obscene gestures at her during the interrogation.
While ticking off the police over the allegation, the court extended Shashikala Patankar's police custody till May 2.
"Yesterday an officer from Satara came and told me he wants to know why I informed about the Mumbai police constable Dharmaraj Kalokhe to Satara police," Patankar told special judge for NDPS cases U B Hejib when the judge asked her if she wanted to say anything.

The officer allegedly abused her and made obscene gestures at her. He also told her that her son Satish had been thrashed in custody, and she would get the same treatment, Patankar, alias Bab alleged.
The judge reprimanded the crime branch officer who was present in the court and said he could suspend him.
The crime branch sought continuation of Patankar's custody, saying they wanted to interrogate her further once they arrested G Samuels, another alleged peddler, who is now in Arthur Road jail. Yesterday, a local court had granted the crime branch permission to arrest Samuels in this case.

The police also said they wanted to take her to the places from where she had sourced the drug and also trace her accomplices.
Patankar's lawyer N N Gawankar alleged that his client might be further tortured for complaining against the police.
When the public prosecutor said Patankar had not complained of torture, the court remarked that making obscene gestures was worse than 'third degree'.