Political Pressure Mounts In Pune Over Dalit Girls’ Allegations Against Kothrud Police

Two days after serious allegations of physical abuse and casteist remarks were made by three Dalit girls against the Kothrud police, the political climate in Pune has intensified.

Sujat Ambedkar, Anjali Ambedkar, Rohit Pawar, and several activists remained at the Pune Police Commissionerate until 3:30 a.m. to press for action and ensure that an atrocity case was registered against the Kothrud police officials accused of making objectionable remarks toward the girls.

However, Pune police clarified by presenting a four-page document that an FIR could not be registered due to the absence of evidence, as the incident occurred in a room.

What was the incident and how did the matter take seriousness?

A young married woman from Sambhaji Nagar came to stay in the flat of these three girls in Pune on August 1, with the help of an activist, after consistent harassment by her in-laws.

The victim’s in-laws had filed a missing complaint with the Sambhaji Nagar Police. Acting on it, Sambhaji Nagar Police reached Pune and tracked the last location of the woman in the Kothrud area. However, the victim had left the place for some work before the police reached the location.

As per the allegations, upon reaching the flat, police started questioning them without any search warrant. Police officials were in civil dress. During the search operation, police commented on their clothes, abused them, and asked questions related to their caste.

When the girls asked about their identity, police threatened them and took them to the Kothrud police station saying, “We will tell you everything there,” where these girls were mentally and physically tortured in the remand room by police.

Over the incident, Shweta S. posted a video on Facebook narrating the incident. In the video, Shweta alleged that police used abusive words about the character of the girls and commented on their dressing sense. Moreover, she also alleged that PSI Kamte kicked and touched a girl inappropriately.

MLA Rohit Pawar, speaking with the media, said that without any crime or reason, speaking inappropriately like this with the Dalit girls is not acceptable. Conducting a search operation without a warrant is illogical. The victim came to Pune for help.

"Touching the girls' clothes, commenting on them and their behaviour, and checking their mobile phones by police is not right. It is a violation of the Constitution. Action against them should be taken by the Pune Police," he added.

MP Supriya Sule posted on X, “The incident is very serious if it is true. The Home Minister should take this matter seriously and stringent action against those responsible should be taken after a detailed investigation.”

National President of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, Advocate Prakash Ambedkar, said, “There was a delay by Pune Police in registering an FIR in a serious matter involving a cognizable offence. I clearly told them the law is law. The Supreme Court has said that if a cognizable offence is mentioned, the police must register an FIR,” Ambedkar added.

“If the FIR is not registered immediately, we will mobilize in large numbers and launch a strong protest in front of the Commissionerate.”