HC Orders Rs 25 Lakh Compensation for Manhandled Pregnant NMMC Officer
The Bombay High Court held police responsible for failing to protect Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) officials during a demolition drive on July 30, after a pregnant civic officer was allegedly manhandled by a mob and subsequently suffered a miscarriage. A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata directed the Maharashtra government to pay Rs 25 lakh in compensation to the officer, ordering that the amount be recovered from the salaries of the police personnel who were present at the site and failed to prevent the assault.
The court made these observations while hearing a contempt petition filed by Kishor Shetty regarding non-compliance with a High Court order concerning more than 4,000 unauthorised constructions in Navi Mumbai. During the hearing, NMMC advocate Sugandh Deshmukh informed the court that civic officials had been assaulted during the July 30 demolition drive despite seeking and receiving police protection. Video footage and photographs of the incident were submitted to the court.
Expressing serious concern over police personnel remaining mute spectators, the bench directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to take stern necessary legal action against all personnel present at the scene who failed to perform their duty. The bench stated that it could not permit public servants performing their official duties to be assaulted, intimidated, or coerced by anti-social elements.
The court noted that when NMMC officers undertake demolition drives, it is the duty of the police to protect public servants. It clarified that if a local police station lacks adequate staff, it must request additional forces from the reserve police force under the established rules.
In addition to the compensation order, the court addressed safety concerns regarding another NMMC staff member who was manhandled during the drive and continues to receive threats. The bench directed the Navi Mumbai police to provide round-the-clock protection to the staff member free of cost until the threat subsides.
The NMMC reported to the court that it had taken action against 63 unauthorised constructions between June 16 and August 6, and identified 1,421 structures operating without Completion and Occupancy Certificates. The civic body assured the court that its enforcement actions would continue. The High Court scheduled the matter for further hearing after two weeks.
