Cops plan chowkie to police Powai lake

The Powai police have submitted a proposal to the BMC, seeking permission to build a two-storey police chowkie at Ganesh Ghat near Powai lake. The move is aimed at keeping a close vigil near the lake that has become a tourist spot.

The police also plan to have close circuit TVs installed at four vantage points in Powai. The points will be monitored from the chowkie. “Cops will be on duty 24X7. The area is deserted at night. We have received complaints of eve-teasing and molestation. Even accidents and drowning cases were reported in the past,” said deputy commissioner of police (Zone X) K M M Prasanna.

The Powai police station is located 15 to 20 minutes from the spot which gives miscreants time to escape. “Even complainants have to walk more than half-a-kilometre to reach the Powai police station in order to lodge a complaint,” said senior inspector Rajdoot Rupwate of Powai police station.

According to Rupwate, the beautification of Powai lake has attracted many people in the city, especially young couples who visit the place every day. “They indulge in public displays of affection. There have also been incidents of drowning and people committing suicide in the lake,” he said.

According to Prasanna, during major festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, and Chhath Puja, around 200 police personnel are put on bandobast duty at the lake as people gather in lakhs. The local police believe that at the proposed 1,600 sq-ft plot near the lake, they will be able to instal CCTV cameras to monitor the lake from the elevated vantage point. They

anticipate a spurt in crime with the completion of the lake-front beautification. “Several industrialists have offered to sponsor the chowkie,” he said. Junior officials with the BMC said that they would discuss the proposal with seniors.

Film producer held for `rape’ Vijay V Singh

A small-time film producer, Ram Kumar, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly raping an aspiring actress and promising to cast her in a music video. Kumar was remanded in police custody till July 29.

The victim, a struggling artiste, had got in touch with the accused after an acquaintance at her Versova acting class told her that Kumar was giving newcomers a chance.

The victim first met Kumar along with a friend; the accused told the woman that he would call her for the audition of a music video. On Wednesday, he called the victim to his office at Mhada Colony in Versova. After the audition, Kumar allegedly told her that several “item girls” in Bollywood and others had achieved success only after “compromising” with producers and directors. She told the police that when she went inside the office to get a glass of water, Kumar raped her. Asking her not to tell anyone about the incident, the accused promised to cast her in his music video.

Senior inspector Suresh Nalavade of the Versova police station said, “He called the victim the next day with the promise of giving her work in an album, but when he did not do so, she filed the complaint.”

According to the victim, Kumar took her to Thane on Thursday where the shooting of a music album was scheduled. The woman alleged that she was made to wait the entire day without any work and. in the evening, the accused again came to her asking for sexual favours if she wanted the role.