Friday, the auto-rickshaw in which he was travelling from the railway station was allegedly stopped for nakabandi at Ambadi Road Junction in Vasai West. A constable, who ascertained that Sharma was under the influence of alcohol, took him to Manickpur police station. He was finally allowed to go home at 4 am, but was kept in the dark about why was detained.
Sharma had gone to Kino 108, a popular nightclub in Andheri West Thursday night to watch his favourite band — Split — perform. "It sounded like a good idea, to watch them perform on my birthday. A few of my former colleagues also turned up and it was an impromptu party. A few of us took alcohol," he said.
Sharma then caught the last train to Vasai from Andheri with another friend who lives in Vasai East. "We reached Vasai at 2.45 am and I took an auto from the station. A nakabandi was on at Ambadi Road Junction and the constable asked me if I was drunk. I told him I was that I was returning home after my birthday celebrations. He told me that I was drunk and shouldn't be going home in this state and that I come with him to the police station instead. I agreed because I did not want to argue with him," he said. Sharma said the constable then instructed the auto-rickshaw driver to take him to the police station. "I showed him my proof of identity, but was made to sit there for 30-45 minutes. At 4 am, the same constable said I was free to go," a puzzled Sharma said.
After spending all of Friday thinking of what happened, Sharma went to Manikpur police station Saturday to find answers. "I found the same constable, he introduced himself as Satyanand. He told me the police had received information Friday of illegal activity in Vasai and had enforced nakabandi. He said I was angry and was arguing with him at the police station. Finally, after spending 45 minutes there, he said I could leave," he said.
Even though his anger has now given way to bemusement, Sharma cannot understand why he was asked to go to the police station at all. "They may have had information of some illegal activity, but they had no reason to hold me at the police station. He, however, did not tell why he kept me in the police station," he said. Vasai Additional Deputy Superintendent of Police Sangramsin Nishandar said he was unaware of the incident. "I do not know of this but this is a serious issue. The man wasn't driving, so he should not be asked to go to the police station." He also promised to act if Sharma submitted an application. Manikpur police station senior inspector Shyam Chaudhary said the nakabandi was enforced near the railway station to keep an eye on criminals on the prowl. "At the nakabandi, we mainly check two-wheelers and four-wheelers and occasionally auto-rickshaws. I will look into the matter," he added.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment