98% police officers use their own mobiles: State

The state government on Friday informed the Bombay high court that 98% of the city's police officers have filed an undertaking with the Commissioner of Police (CP) that they are using phones in their own names.

The state government on Friday informed the Bombay high court that 98% of the city's police officers have filed an undertaking with the Commissioner of Police (CP) that they are using phones in their own names.

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According to the information submitted by public prosecutor PA Pol, of the 3,155 police officers, they have received mobile number details from 3,005 officers. Out of the remaining, some are on leave and others do not possess a mobile phone, the court was told. As per the undertaking filed by officers above the rank of police sub-inspector, an officer would be liable to action if the information provided turns out to be false.

The division bench of justice AM Khanwilkar and justice PD Kode had asked the CP to compile mobile numbers of police officers after hearing a petition filed by Santacruz-based businessman Aminuddin Saeed seeking action against an assistant police inspector Balasaheb Khade for allegedly trying to settle a rape case by demanding a house and a car for the victim. Khade had allegedly used a mobile number, not registered in his name, for his interactions with Saeed.

Saeed's friend Umesh Reshamwala, sought his help after being threatened by a woman to book him for rape if he did not buy her a house and a car.

When Saeed approached the police on Reshamwala's behalf, Khade allegedly demanded Rs2 lakh from him.