Facebook outrage: Police to file closure report

Mumbai, Nov 29 (IANS) Maharashtra Police are likely to file a closure report in the case of arrest of two girls for questioning on Facebook the MUmbai shutdown following Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s death, the state police chief said here Thursday.

“No charge sheet will be filed in the case of arrest of two girls from Palghar. There will be a closure report,” Director General of Police Sanjeev Dayal told reporters.

Dayal hinted that since a charge sheet had not been filed in the case yet, there did not arise the need to formally drop the charges. However, the case will be closed and a report will be filed.

Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil Tuesday said the two police officials involved in the arrests of Shaheen Dadha and her friend Renu Srinivasan have been suspended and others given strict warnings.

Police arrested Shaheen Nov 18 for posting a comment on her Facebook page questioning the shutdown after Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s death Nov 17 and when he was given a public cremation the next day.

Her friend Renu, who had ‘liked’ the comment, was also arrested.

Patil said that based on the report submitted by Inspector General (Konkan Range) Sukhvinder Singh, it was decided that Superintendent of Police (Thane Rural) Ravindra Sengaonkar and Palghar police chief senior inspector Shrikant Pingle would be suspended and a departmental probe be ordered against them.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Thane Rural) Sangram Nishandar was also told to be alert while dealing with such cases. The officer is alleged to have played a role in ensuring the arrests of the two girls.

The Bombay High Court has also transferred the magistrate who released the girls on a bail of Rs.15,000 each.

IANS 2012-11-29 19:20:12