Mumbai : Young lovers, middle-aged and elderly people seeking some privacy in this concrete jungle that is Mumbai, can heave a big sigh of relief.
Following an outcry over the arrest of several couples for “indecent behaviour” from hotels and a beach here earlier this month, the Mumbai police has issued a circular asking officials to work within a legal framework and not to intrude on people’s privacy and freedom.
Not only has Maria effectively ordered police officials to avoid interfering with couples, both young and old, roaming together in malls, public parks and beaches, he has also asked them not to enter hotel rooms and flats to take action against couples.
A senior police inspector confirmed the development. “We have received such a
circular,” he said. The circular, which was issued by Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria on August 20, says policemen should not criticise or make suggestions as to how citizens should behave and what they should wear.
It also says that they do not have any authority to intrude on a citizen’s privacy and individual freedom.
The officials should also not take any action under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act before taking the permission of the Deputy Commissioner of Police concerned.
Senior inspectors have been asked to display the circular, which is in Marathi, on notice boards in all police stations. Earlier this month, the Mumbai police had rounded up 13 couples and 35 others following raids at hotels and a beach for indecent behaviour in public, provoking a storm in the social media.
Consenting adults who had checked into several hotels in Madh Island and the Aksa area were in for a shock when they found policemen knocking on the doors of their rooms and rounding them up.
POLICING THE POLICE
