The Bombay High Court rapped Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria for failing to investigate the allegations made against Deputy Inspector General of Police Hemant Nagrale by his wife and dismissing it by saying she was schizophrenic. Pratima, Nagrale’s wife, had approached the HC in February alleging harassment and torture by him and had also given details of alleged misappropriate income and investments of Nagrale.

“Pratima had made several complaints to senior police officers, but no action has been taken. Hence we approached the HC,” said Pratima’s lawyer Gunaratna Sadawarte.

Along with her appeal, Pratima had attached copies of bank statements of her account with the Bank of Baroda, Walkeshwar branch, between January 1, 2007, and June 23, 2008, which reflect several huge transactions.

After going through the petition and the report submitted by Maria, Justice Marlapalle remarked, “Where is the explanation on the money transferred to her account? If she is a schizophrenic, then this (bank accounts) must be wrong,” he added.

The HC has given the police two weeks to investigate the matter and submit a report.