Top cops' kin run pvt security firms

MEMBERS of the family of top police officers have obtained licences to run private security firms, it has come to light.

The list of proprietors of 180 firms that have procured licences for private security companies has big, influential names on it.

Ashwini Rokade, wife of DCP (Crime) Anant Rokade, Abhijeet Sonawane, son of special IG Prison and former city joint commissioner of police Rajendra Sonawane, Rajesh Phadatare, son of DCP Zone I Dnanyeshwar Phadatare, are among those on the list. The list also includes members of the family of a number of former police officers, including former city police commissioner Jayant Umranikar.

'Nothing to hide'
MiD DAY spoke to the high-ranking serving police officers whose near and dear ones have procured licences to run private security firms.

"Those fulfilling 23 crucial conditions, including Shop Act, regulations under Labour Act, which says all security firms applying for this licence need to give employees medical cover, gratuity and PF, are given licences," said Rajendra Sonawane, an IPS rank officer. "The process is impartial and open. There's nothing to hide."

Sonawane added that if retired military men could run private security firms, then so could the kith and kin of policemen. "It's a free country and we are also its citizens. None of the policemen's kin who have applied for a security agency have criminal cases against them," said the officer.u00a0 "If we can accept retired army men running private security firm then why not the police?"

Anant Rokade said police officers were unnecessarily targeted in these matters.

"Why are only the police targeted when all the information is available on the police website itself? If our kin are capable of running a security agency, then why deny them the chance? Why should we be singled out by the media," said Rokade. "This will work for us when we are old, serving as the laathi in our budhapa."

Dnyaneshwar Phadatare (Zone I) said, "If we accept people from Bihar and UP running private security companies, then why deny the same to our own people who have police background. There is nothing to hide as everything is open."

All in the family
THE list of licensed security firms published on the police website has some influential names.
> Smart Act Security Services: Abhijeet Sonawane, son of IG Prison Rajendra Sonawane. (Licence
number 144)
> Harshwardhan Security Services: Ashwini Rokade, wife of DCP (Crime) Anant Rokade. (Licence
number 164)
> RD Security Services: Rajesh Dnyaneshwar Phadatare, son of Zone I DCP Dnyaneshwar Phadatare. (License No 137)

The Other Side
Joint Commissioner of Police Ashok Dhiware said, "I am collecting information on this; I will verify all the papers related to it and then only will I be able to comment."