Mumbai: Constable suspended for taking police jeep for 24-hr joyride

A 26-year-old constable from the motor transport department of the Mumbai police took his wife and children for a picnic around the city and Thane. His mistake: he took a police jeep that too without informing anyone.

A 26-year-old constable from the motor transport (MT) department of the Mumbai police took his wife and children for a picnic around the city and Thane. His mistake: he took a police jeep that too without informing anyone.

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With no information about the vehicle, the department officials were surprised to find it parked at the spot it was taken from after 24 hours.

The constable, Basapa Shivaji Sakhare, a resident of Visava, Thane, was arrested and now has been suspended. He will face a departmental inquiry, the police said.

“On September 12, Sakhare took away a police jeep, MH01 BA 4310, f rom Shefard Ro a d , outside the MT department’s compound in Nagpada. He went for a picnic to Thane, Borivli National Park and the Gateway of India with his family. The next day, he quietly parked the car and left,” said inspector J Ramane, Nagpada police station. Inspector Nasir Pathan of the MT department said they were about to file an FIR with the police on September 13. “I was informed by a constable that someone had parked the missing car. When I checked, I found that the engine was still hot. We then registered a complaint with the police,” said Pathan.

Sakhare was booked under section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code and was subsequently released on bail by a local court, said Krishna Kadam, assistant inspector, Nagpada police station.

“I am going to order a departmental inquiry to find out whether he has done this in the past as well,” said Atul Patil, DCP, MT department.