08 May,2016 08:20 AM IST | | Faisal Tandel
In the last two years, three senior police inspectors have been transferred from Manpada police station for failing to crack down on illegal dance bars in their jurisdiction
When GS Randive, senior police inspector, was transferred from the Manpada station in Dombivli (East) to the control room on Thursday, there was possibly much heartburn. There was nothing routine about the transfer; it was, instead, a âpunishment posting' in a game of one-upmanship.
In the last two years, three senior police inspectors have been transferred from the station for failing to crack down on illegal dance bars in their jurisdiction. Sources say the transfers were prompted after higher-ups were left red faced by crime branch sleuths, who had swooped down on the establishments. A deputation at the Manpada station is considered a plum posting in Thane since there are around 45 dance bars under its jurisdiction - beginning near the Tata Power station and scattered all along Shil Road - giving the police ample opportunities to rack up quite a record through crackdowns and raids. Randive's transfer, too, came on the heels of raids by the anti-human trafficking cell of the Thane crime branch on Wednesday at Seven Star Bar and Restaurant, and Rhythm Bar and Restaurant in Dombivli (East). Two other police officers - Machindra Chavan and Indrajeet Karle - have gone the Randive way in the last two years.
GS Randive, senior police inspector, was transferred from Manpada station after a crime branch raid on two bars in his jurisdiction
Case on obscenity
Cases have been registered by the Manpada police against the two dance bars under sections of the IPC, and different sections of the Bombay Police Act.
Based on a tip-off that Makrand Ranade, additional commissioner of police, Thane, received, a team raided the bars on Wednesday night.
"People there were indulging in obscenity. Also, more than four women were performing at a time, which is a violation of the HC order," said Sakil Shaikh, senior inspector, anti-human trafficking cell, Thane crime branch.
The action prompted Thane Commissioner of Police Parambir Singh to order an inquiry into the lapse on the part of Manpada police and transfer Randive.
Singh told mid-day that Randive has been "temporarily attached to the police control room".
The state had banned dance bars in 2005. But in October last year, the Supreme Court had overruled the state. On March 2 this year, the SC modified seven conditions laid by the state police for granting licences.
