Mixed reactions from Ex-cops, legal experts

Navi Mumbai police commissioner Ahmad Javed manhandling a constable has come as a shock to many. HT reports.

Navi Mumbai police commissioner Ahmad Javed manhandling a constable has come as a shock to many. Former senior police officers and legal experts feel he should not have behaved in such a manner.

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MN Singh, former Mumbai police commissioner, said if there was a complaint in writing then it would be examined and appropriate action taken. He said he would be surprised if Javed had done that. “Javed will never do anything like this. He is not the kind of person who will turn violent,” he said.

“One has to know what exactly happened. There could be mistake or misunderstanding from both sides," Singh said.

A retired director general of police (DGP) said in such cases instead of a departmental inquiry, a case under Section 353 of IPC (obstructing a public servant from performing duty) should be registered. “What would have happened if it was vice versa?” the former DGP questioned saying if the constable had assaulted Javed, the police would have booked him under assault charges.

Advocate Uday Warunjikar said a senior officer should not behave in this manner. However, he said that the action ultimately depends on the government. “We have seen when a junior files a complaint against a senior, action is rarely taken against the senior officer,” he said.

He added if action was not taken in this case it would pass the wrong message among subordinates. “Respect of a constable should be on a par with a senior officer,” he said.

Former IPS officer YP Singh who now practices law said it was a petty matter. In massive cases of corruption like missing bullet-proof jackets, no action was taken and no departmental inquiry conducted,” Singh said, adding that as Javed had a clean reputation, it would be wrong to take any action against him.