Mumbai: A day after The Hindu reported how an officer with the Kongaon police in Bhiwandi posed for a picture with businessman Raj Kundra, who is an accused in a cheating case, superior officers on Thursday asked the officer to explain his actions.
On Wednesday, Mr Kundra, who has been booked along with his wife, actor Shilpa Shetty, and other former directors of Best Deals TV for allegedly defaulting on payments owed to a Bhiwandi based supplier of bedsheets, had gone to the Kongaon police station for inquiries in connection with the case on Wednesday, where he took the picture with Police Inspector (Crime) V K Deshmukh and later posted it on his Instagram account.
The incident did not go down well with the Thane Police top brass, as Mr Deshmukh had posed for a picture with an accused in a criminal case. Officials had said on Wednesday that his actions were unprofessional and that he may face departmental action.
“We have sought an explanation from Mr Deshmukh about the incident. Further course of action will be decided after he provides the explanation,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil, Zone II, Thane police, told The Hindu.
The police will also be questioning Mr Kundra in connection with the matter, sources said.
The picture, which showed Mr Kundra standing next to Mr Deshmukh, was captioned, “Visited a police station in Thane. I honestly feel sorry for the cops who work endless hours in very mediocre surroundings. Government needs to spend more on upgrading their stations for a better working environment for all cops. A picture with Inspector #Deshmukh ji. (sic)”.
The picture had been 'liked' by 2073 Instagram users by Thursday evening, and had 15 comments, some of which agreed with Mr Kundra on the hard working conditions that policemen have to work in.
“Mayb a Very Influential personality like You @rajkundra9 may help enlighten the concerned authorities.. (sic)” one of his followers commented.
