The Bombay High Court today questioned the rationale behind deploying policemen outside restaurants and bars in Thane even though there was a severe shortage of cops to deal with the crime.
A division bench of Justices N H Patil and Anuja Prabhudessai was hearing a petition filed by owners of bars and restaurants from Thane challenging deployment of police personnel outside their bars to keep a watch on whether lady waitresses are working beyond the stipulated deadline.
"Let us all be rational. If you post two policemen outside 36 restaurants then you are losing 72 officials who can be instead deployed at railway and bus stations or to crack some criminal cases which are on rise," the court said.
"This is a sheer waste of time and talent of policemen. They should not be made to sit under a tree doing nothing," the bench said.
A total of 36 petitions have been filed in the High Court by restaurant and bar owners, claiming that since November 2013, policemen have been deployed outside their business premises.
One of the petitioners is Barkur Shetty, who owns the Prakash Hindu Hotel (Rukhmini Palace) in Thane.
Advocate Veena Thadani appearing for the petitioner argued that "their (policemen's) presence creates fear in our patrons and affects our business". She also argued that cops are sitting there from 1 pm to 1 am.
Public Prosecutor S K Shinde opposed the plea saying, "We have come across untoward incidents and the practise is adopted in public interest. There has to be some regulation."
However, the court said that surprise checks can be allowed after 9.30 pm that will be in public interest. "However, these are merely administrative duties and it can be resolved amicably," the court said.
The court has now directed police to file their reply within two weeks and adjourned the hearing till then.
