Don't act on basis of 'political vendetta': NCW to police on Ketaki Chitale's arrest
During the hearing, the commission asked the special Inspector General why an FIR was filed against Ketaki when the same content had been shared by multiple social media users earlier; also asking about the defamation charge in the FIR and told Bharambe to identify the complainants in the case.
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Mumbai, June 18: The National Commission for Women (NCW) held a hearing in the case against Marathi actor Ketaki Chitale who was arrested after she allegedly uploaded an objectionable social media post about NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
"The commission directed that the police should not act based on political vendetta but should rather proceed in an unbiased manner in every matter," said Advocate Yogesh Deshpande appearing for Ketaki.
The commission also sought a list of the cases which were registered in the last one year based on online defamatory statements along with their status reports. Copies of some of the cases which were brought to the notice of the commission were shared with Bharambe and the status report on all those matters was sought within 15 days.
The hearing was chaired by the NCW chairperson, Rekha Sharma. Milind Bharambe, the special Inspector General (law and order) appeared on behalf of the Maharashtra Director General of Police.
During the hearing, the commission asked Bharambe why an FIR was filed against Ketaki when the same content had been shared by multiple social media users earlier. It also asked about the defamation charge in the FIR and told Bharambe to identify the complainants in the case.
The commission asked Bharambe whether legal procedure as enumerated in section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Act (CrPC) was followed before arresting Ketaki Chitale. Section 41A of the CrPC specifies that the police have to give a notice to the accused before an arrest is made. It also states that prior permission is to be taken from the Magistrate in non-cognizable cases.
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The Commission also sought an explanation of what action was taken by the police against the female NCP leaders who attacked Ketaki outside a police station. It also asked why revoked sections of the IT act were used in the matter.
"The commission directed that the police should not act based on political vendetta but should rather proceed in an unbiased manner in every matter," said Advocate Yogesh Deshpande appearing for Ketaki.
The commission also sought a list of the cases which were registered in the last one year based on online defamatory statements along with their status reports. Copies of some of the cases which were brought to the notice of the commission were shared with Bharambe and the status report on all those matters was sought within 15 days.