Mumbai girl assault case: 2 women constables suspended

Mumbai, Sept 30: Mumbai Police on Tuesday, Sept 29 suspended two women constables for allegedly assaulting a girl at the famous Lalbaughcha Raja Ganesh pandal here on September 25, even as a preliminary inquiry report found that the duo erred while performing duty.

The preliminary inquiry report of the incident, which had sparked widespread public outrage after a purported video of it went viral on social media, was submitted by DCP (Zone 4) Ashok Dudhe. [Maharashtra: Video of lady cop beating girl goes viral, probe initiated]

The report states that the two constables, posted at the Local Arms Division of Mumbai Police, had erred while performing duty as they had allegedly assaulted the girl, Joint Commissioner of Police Deven Bharti said.

"If a person threatens, abuses or beats a cop, then the police have to take the individual to police and take appropriate action but they can't assault the individual," he added.

Earlier in the day, the two constables -- Varsha Patil and Anuradha Salunke -- were suspended. "Yes, two women constables have been suspended in connection with the incident," Bharti said.

The girl, Nandini Goswami, alleged she was dragged and slapped by the constables when she tried to enter the pandal's VVIP queue on Friday last.

Yesterday, following the public outrage, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had ordered a probe.

Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal in central Mumbai attracts lakhs of devotees during the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi which ended on Sunday.

PTI