Mumbai policeman sacked after anti-sleaze campaign
A controversial police chief who took on Mumbai's party-goers has been ousted from his job after complaints he killed Bollywood's celebrated nightlife.
His campaign made enemies of powerful figures in the city, including Bal Thackeray, the feared leader of the Shiv Sena political party Photo: REUTERS
By Dean Nelson, in New Delhi
2:30PM BST 17 Sep 2012
Assistant Commissioner Vasant Dhoble became notorious in the city for leading filmed raids on night clubs, bars, juice stands and hotels where he attacked managers and staff with a hockey stick.
Several middle class women found enjoying a drink with friends during one of the raids were arrested as suspected prostitutes, while parties were broken up and revelers warned they would not be allowed to drink alcohol without a personal permit.
His campaign made enemies of powerful figures in the city, including Bal Thackeray, the feared leader of the Shiv Sena political party. The party has its own gangs of street thugs and claimed there was nothing wrong with people wanting to enjoy themselves.
Assistant Commissioner Dhoble ignored protests from businessmen and civil rights campaigners and enjoyed the support of the state's home minister and the police commissioner, Arup Patnaik, until he too was shunted aside last month after the police were blamed for violence at a demonstration in the city.
His campaign was aimed at breaking the suspected links between corrupt police officers and powerful builders in the city which had seen a proliferation of illegal clubs and bars.
While his crusade was criticised by those whose businesses suffered during his reign, he became a hero to many ordinary residents who regarded him as an honest champion despite corruption allegations against him and a conviction for a death in custody.
Mukta Srivastava of the National Alliance of People's Movements said he had intimidated ordinary people.
"His actions were an infringement on the right to liberty and freedom. Laws are meant to protect the citizens and if these laws are turned into a tool of harassment for the public, it's is very unfortunate.
"By merely finding a girl at a bar or a night club, the law cannot brand her as a prostitute and jail her. The police officer was insensitive and authoritative. We live in a democratic country and have fundamental right of liberty," he said.
