Bombay High Court Criticizes Mira-Bhayandar Police for Mishandling Case
The Bombay High Court has reprimanded the Mira-Bhayandar police for their handling of a case involving allegations of assault against a dance group. The court found that senior officers were attempting to protect their juniors and ordered a fresh investigation into the matter. The case arose from claims by the Unbeatable Dance Group that their former manager defrauded them of nearly ₹12 crores. Following the court's intervention, an FIR was filed, but the investigation faced delays, prompting further scrutiny of police conduct. This situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding accountability within law enforcement.
| Jun 11, 2025, 16:00 IST
Court's Strong Reprimand
The Bombay High Court has expressed strong disapproval towards the entire team of the Mira-Bhayandar police commissionerate, citing attempts by senior officials to systematically protect their junior colleagues. The court has also mandated a fresh investigation into allegations of physical assault by officers at the Mira Road police station. The bench, comprising Justices Nitin W. Sambre and Sachin S. Deshmukh, remarked on the deliberate efforts to shield an officer, stating, 'You are trying to protect your officer in a planned manner. Your ACP and DCP are handling this matter inappropriately.'
Dance Group's Allegations
The bench was hearing a petition from the Unbeatable Dance Group, which includes young men claiming that their former manager defrauded them of ₹11.96 crores. The petition, filed through advocate Shravan Giri, requested the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against manager Om Prakash Chauhan and several others involved in the fraud. The group also alleged that a police constable assaulted the young dancers when they sought to reclaim their money.
Police Action and Investigation
Following the high court's directives, the Mira-Bhayandar police registered an FIR against Chauhan. However, as the investigation stalled, the case was transferred to the crime branch and subsequently to the economic offenses wing, which filed charges against Chauhan. A departmental inquiry was conducted against the police constable and other officers from the Mira Road police station for allegedly mistreating the dance group members, as directed by the court. The inquiry was led by the Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP), and the report was submitted to the court. Upon reviewing the report, the court noted that the dancers' complaints had not been adequately addressed.