The police have begun the process of departmental inquiry against two constables posted at Juhu chowky who allegedly refused to help a marketing professional, 33, who was slapped by an unidentified person at Juhu beach on Thursday.

Former police officials say that in such cases, the erring policemen should be immediately suspended. Lawyer and former IPS officer YP Singh said: “In order to give out a strong message, the policemen should be suspended immediately.”

Former Mumbai police commissioner MN Singh said: “The policemen should be sensitised especially when it comes to the cases where women are involved.”

The Santacruz police said on Saturday that the details of the case have been sent to senior police officers and there will be an investigation into the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the constables.

“A departmental inquiry has been initiated and the details have been sent to assistant commissioner of police who will forward the same to deputy commissioner of police for further proceedings,” said Arun Chavan, senior police inspector, Santacruz police station.

The woman said, “Their (the policemen’s) first reaction was to make me wait for five to six minutes while they tended to other business. They refused to help saying they couldn’t leave their chowky.”

Chavan said the constables should have reacted immediately.

“Police personnel are posted round the clock at the 3-km beach stretch,” said Chavan.

Joint commissioner of police (law and order) Sadanand Date said: “I will have to first study the case before reacting.”