Baby, on Tuesday, told the court that ACP Deepak Humbre had visited her cell and spoke to her indecently.
"Making indecent gestures at women (criminals) is worse than third degree (treatment)," held the special court presided over by judge UB Hejib on Tuesday while hearing the second remand application of Shashikala Patankar alias Baby. The court pulled up a senior officer from Satara for indecent behaviour against Baby, as alleged by her.
Meanwhile, the court has extended Baby's police custody till May 2, and remanded her son Satish to 14 days' judicial custody.
Baby, on Tuesday, told the court that ACP Deepak Humbre had visited her cell and spoke to her indecently. "He started making indecent gestures towards me and also used indecent words. He was angry with me because I had helped the police arrest constable Dharamraj Kalokhe. He gave me life threats and said he will ensure that I am assaulted the same way that my son has been in custody," she said, while complaining to the court.
Expressing shock at the allegation, the court said such behaviour by an officer will not be tolerated. The court questioned the investigating officer (IO) why the ACP, who is not connected to the case, would speak to the accused in such a way.
The court further informed the IO to be alert on the matter and ensure that there's no indecency towards the accused, warning him that he will be held responsible if it happens again.
Meanwhile, the prosecution, while seeking extension of the police custody, stressed on the huge quantity of drugs found at Baby's home and Kalokhe's office cupboard. Assistant public prosecutor Usha Jadhav claimed that there are already a few crimes of similar nature registered against the accused. The accused's lawyer opposed the prosecution's plea, saying it was just being asked so that the police could torture his client.
The court held, "The police custody is extended, provided that the accused is medically examined daily and a report on the same is filed before the court. Also, Kasare (the IO) should ensure that he does not allow any other officer not connected with the case to enter her cell at the time of interrogation."
The city crime branch on Tuesday got a production warrant to arrest drug peddler Manikan Samuel in connection with the ongoing investigation against Baby. The police will arrest Samuel on Wednesday and seek his remand.
Samuel is currently lodged in Arthur Road jail after being arrested in a drug case by the Shahu Nagar police in December 2014. A history-sheeter, he has at least three other cases of drug peddling registered against him in Mumbai.
"Baby bought around 150kg mephedrone from Samuel in multiple installments from January to December 2014 and Kalokhe accompanied her to various dhabas on the Mumbai-Pune highway to make the purchases. The drugs were then brought to Mumbai," said an officer.
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