For a long time, biases, misplaced zeal, and a predilection for being seen as “tough” on crime and what they think is “immoral” and “indecent” activities — have characterised far too many actions of the Mumbai police. For this, they are once again at the receiving end of public ire. The supposedly bungled raid in hotels around Aksa Beach, and what subsequently transpired at Malwani Police Station, is the latest example of citizens having to bear the brunt of what has now become a pernicious police practice. This time, armed with a larger dose of virtuous righteousness than commonsense, the police’s “overzealous” actions have rightly placed them at the receiving end of public ire.

The tidal wave of public indignation notwithstanding, it would be limiting to view the issue solely through the prism of outrage and indignation at “moral policing”. Especially because there has been the application of Section 110 of the Bombay Police Act which allows penal action against “indecency in public”. It is impossible to arrive at a comprehensive definition of “indecency” without sliding down the slippery slope of prudery and self-righteousness. Nevertheless all police actions must always to be grounded in reason and carried out within the limits of the law, not subjecting citizens to arbitrary force and rank intimidation.