Court questions police’s slow action on famous dance group’s complaint

The Bombay High Court on Monday criticised the Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar police commissionerate for delaying action on complaints by members of the V Unbeatable Dance Group, who say they were defrauded of Rs 11.96 crores.
The court summoned the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) to appear on Wednesday.
Police Inspector Pramod Badakh from the Virar Crime Branch told the court the probe was ongoing and would take more time.
Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan questioned the delay. “What the officer ought to have looked into is whether a prima facie cognisable offence was made out for registration of an FIR or not. The probe has been going on for months, contrary to the Supreme Court’s judgement that a preliminary probe should be conducted within seven days,” they said.
The court noted that the police still viewed the case as civil in nature. “When you don’t understand the nuances of a case, you say it’s a civil dispute? Where is the level playing field? Your officer needs training. If this is not cheating, then what is?” the bench asked.
The court suggested that the delay was linked to allegations the petitioners had made against a police officer. The officer, posted in the cyber cell at Mira Road, allegedly assaulted the dancers when they sought money from their manager, the main accused.
Advocate Rajesh Kanojia, representing the manager, said an FIR had also been registered against the dance group, which the police were not investigating. The court dismissed Kanojia’s argument, saying, “File your own petition. You cannot ride on this one.”
The court was hearing a petition from the group, seeking the registration of an FIR against their former manager and others. The petition, filed by advocate Shravan Giri, alleged that the Mira Road police were colluding with the accused and had assaulted the dancers. A video of the assault was shown to the court.
At an earlier hearing on September 26, the police informed the court that the Additional Commissioner of Police, Mira-Bhayandar, had transferred the four complaints to the Crime Branch in Virar. Inspector Badakh was assigned to conduct a preliminary enquiry and decide whether to register an FIR.