HT
 
Mumbai, Apr 4: Which is the most popular hangout for courting couples in Mumbai? If the police have to be believed, it is Bandra - specifically the Reclamation area and Bandra Bandstand promenade.

While some locals feel that couples indulging in some petting and kissing is okay, others are upset.

“We received many complaints from local residents in the past few months about the obscene behaviour of the couples on the promenades. According to the complaintants, the public display of intimacy and affection embarrasses residents, especially senior citizens and women who take their children for walks there,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Bipin Bihari said. “We had no choice but to take a stern action against the erring couples. For many it may be moral policing, but we are just doing our job.” 

Mumbai's popular Bandstand

The 100-odd couples, who have been detained by the Bandra police over the last three days, are mostly residents from far-flung suburbs such as Dombivli, Govandi, Bhiwandi and Vashi.

But Mikhtar Manekia, founder-member and trustee of Bandra West Residents Association, feels that the police are going overboard. “The police need to understand that hugging and smooching are normal actions and should not be termed obscene. We are all humans and need some private space to spend time together,” said Manekia.

However, a regular walker at the Reclamation, Pradeep Sankhe, does not endorse Manekia’s viewpoint.

“The way couples behave embarrasses us. The youngsters do not have any shame even in front of senior citizens and children,” said Sankhe, who works in VJTI’s administration department.

Sankhe has been regularly writing to the police and Home Minister R.R. Patil regarding the matter.

Inundated with numerous complaints about youngsters indulging in “indecent” activities in the area, the Bandra police decided to teach them a “good lesson”.

On Monday night, the police called the parents of the 22 couples rounded up from Bandra Reclamation. They wanted them to know “what their wards were up to”.  

Senior Inspector Laxman Bhure of the Bandra police station said: “Earlier we would only warn the couples and let them off, but now we decided to be strict. We called the parents to instil fear among youngsters that if they are caught their parents would have to come to the station again.” The crackdown would continue till the couples do not stop portraying indecency, he added.

Mumbai cops to get tough on errant couples: Dy Comm.

UNI

In a major attempt to enforce good behaviour among couples and young lovers in parks and other public places, Mumbai police have begun slapping a hefty fine of Rs 1,200 on couples caught too close for comfort.

This was confirmed to UNI by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sanjay Mohite (Enforcement) here today, after 10 couples were fined for indecent behaviour. "The city police will take unbaised action against any couple caught in a compromising position in and around public places," he said.

Earlier, 10 couples, who were booked under Sections 110 and 117 of the Bombay Police Act (BPA) for indecent behaviour, were released after they furnished the bail amount.

Incidently, Mumbai like any other metros boasts of parks and has a long shore, which are regularly frequented by fun thrilled couples of all ages to steal some private moments from the prying eyes of family members and known faces.

Ironically, a few years back, the Shiv Sena, known for its tirade against western culture and concepts, in a drive of moral policing had put up placards warning couples of indecent behaviour at public places.

Reacting to this sudden moral policing by the police, "The Mumbai Lovers Association" an infamous Non-Government Organisation (NGO) has issued a statement demanding a separate park for lovers.

"Mumbai has small crowded homes and visiting hotels were also risky," Muzzafar Hussein Qureshi, a lover who regularly visited public places said.

Hussein pinpointed that earlier, Irani hotels in the city had small cabins exclusively for families, but mainly used by couples.

Again, this facility was also snatched due to the constant raids carried out by the law enforcment agencies.

Noted criminal lawyer and political spokesperson of the NCP, Majeed Memon reacted that police can only fine the couples, but it is difficult to prove in a court of law.

He said in most of the cases, couples either plead guilty or even didn't bother to attend the court proceedings to contest the matter. It is sometimes shameful for the arrested couples to contest the matter fearing public attention.

According to police sources, only the regional heads of the city police can direct such a drive. From 2002 to 2004, around 70 couples were arrested by the police during similar drives. While this year the count has already reached to 22 couples.