Top cop asked to probe builder’s harassment complaint

MUMBAI: The National Human Rights Commission has directed the city police commissioner to investigate a complaint lodged by Mahendra Agarwal, builder and founder member of Indian Squash Professionals, about harassment meted out by cops despite being acquitted in a criminal case.
In 2006, builder Brijlal Tiwari had complained that gangster Ravi Pujari had threatened to disassociate him from an SRA project.Tiwari said Pujari wanted Vertex Developers, in which Agarwal was a partner, to undertake the development. Crime branch registered a case under MCOCA against Agarwal and six others. In March 2009, a special court acquitted him saying it was a tussle between the two parties for developmental rights. Following this, Agarwal filed a writ petition in the high court against the police, demanding action. The police also filed an appeal in the high court against the acquittal. Both the matters are pending in the court.
Agarwal had to obtain an HC order recently for passport renewal after cops objected. He then approached the commission complaining of harassment.