Mumbai: Days after the Mumbai Police had carried out raids on several hotels as custodians of moral policing, Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria has now ordered his men not to interfere with couples moving around in malls, parks and beaches, a report published in Mid-day.com said on Saturday.
In a circular, the top cop has asked his police force not to enter the hotel rooms and flats to take action against couples.
The Mid-day report further states that Maria has ordered his officials not to suggest citizens how to behave or advice them on wearing outfits.
In a stern message to his force, the Mumbai Police chief has categorically stated that they have no right to intrude into citizen's privacy.
Maria's diktat comes just days after, Additional Commissioner of Police Fateh Singh Patil raided hotels at Madh Island and Aksa beach in which nearly 61 people were arrested and booked for "indecency in public" on August 6.
A team of Malwani police station officials led by DCP (Zone XI) Vikram Deshmane had conducted the raids at few hotels, resorts and lodges as well as beaches at Madh Island and Aksa in North Mumbai.
Later, 61 people, including 13 couples, were arrested under section 110 (indecent behaviour in public) of Maharashtra Police Act. However, they were let off after being fined Rs 1,200 each with an undertaking that they will appear before the local magistrate when required.
The police action was criticised by people who called it intrusion into one's privacy and asked why consenting adults cannot stay together.
