11 August,2014 06:58 AM IST | | Saurabh Vaktania
Within hours of realising that a senior PI from Vakola police station had lodged an FIR in a case he had been asked to steer clear of, the commissioner ordered his transfer
Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria seems to be taking a tough stand on errant cops. Close on the heels of the transfer of a Khar policeman (see box), Maria ensured that another senior inspector, from the Vakola police, was moved after the latter disobeyed a direct order from him on Saturday. A sub-inspector is also likely to get transferred in connection with the same incident.
Senior Police Inspector Vinayak Mulay had been asked by Maria to not register any case in a matter involving two builders, since the civil suit was in court
Two builders have been fighting over a plot in Vakola, parts of which were allegedly sold by the owner to both parties. A civil case was filed, but that did not stop the builders from resorting to violence and approaching the Vakola police to get FIRs registered against each other.
Senior Inspector Vinayak Mule had approached Maria in the past, and had been given strict instructions that no action should be taken as the civil suit was in court, which would decide and guide the police.
On Friday night, one of the builders allegedly went to the plot with several goons and damaged the other builder's board and electricity supply sources, before beating up a few people. The builder at the receiving end went to the Vakola police the same night to file a complaint against the aggressor, who told the cops that the matter was in court.
Sources said station house officer PSI R Gaikwad called Mulay to ask what should be done, and Mulay asked him to take the case, ignoring Maria's warning. The FIR was filed around 6 am on Saturday against the offending builder and six of his men.
The builder then went to meet Maria, who immediately ordered Mulay's transfer to the local arms unit, and instituted an inquiry. By the same evening, Mulay had left his cabin and a new senior inspector had been appointed in his place. PSI Gaikwad, who registered the FIR, is also likely to be transferred.
