The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has issued a notice, calling for documents and report from the Thane rural police and state government regarding the arrests of two girls over a Facebook comment.
The women’s commission’s demand was in response to a complaint filed by bureaucrat-turned-lawyer Abha Singh with the commission over alleged mistreatment of the two Palghar girls by the local police.
Shaheen Dadha and Rini Srinivasan, both 20, were arrested over the former’s Facebook comments, which criticised the forced bandh in Mumbai after the death of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.
The report, which was prepared by inspector-general (Konkan range) Sukhwinder Singh, led to nationwide uproar against the violation of civil rights. It was tabled before the state director-general of police Sanjeev Dayal and indicted the police officers involved of harsh action and absolved the arrested women of any wrongdoings. The report has also recommended departmental action against the cops.
Meanwhile, advocate Sudhir Gupta, representing the accused, said that the police should file a B-Summary report in the court instead of a C-Summary.
“A B-Summary report allows for action to be taken against the complainant for malicious intent which is clear in this case. The complaint registered by Shiv Sena activist Bhushan Sankhe clearly mentions that Shaheen was a Muslim, which has hurt the Hindu sentiments of the activists. This is an example of fostering communal hatred.”
Special inspector general of police (law and order) Deven Bharti said that they have received the report and three officers have been indicted.
“We will decide a suitable course of action in due course,” Mr Bharti said. The report will be forwarded to the state government and home ministry on Monday.
Home minister R.R. Patil said that the government will act on the recommendation of the inquiry report on the arrest of two girls for posting Facebook comments against the forced shutdown for Bal Thackeray’s funeral. He said that “strict” action will be taken against cops, if found guilty.
“The report will be forwarded by the DGP to the government on Saturday. I will discuss the report with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and strict action will be taken against the officers if found guilty,” Mr Patil said. He said the government has taken the incident very seriously.
When contacted, Abha Singh said, “The action by the Thane rural police is a gross violation of human rights and explicit guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court. The comment was also harmless and the women were taken to the police station after dark, which is again a violation. The commission will study Mr Sukhwinder Singh’s report, the FIR copy and the complaint filed by the Shiv Sena activists and other statements that have been recorded after which we will recommend action against the police officers to the government.”