The Hindu : National : Constables in trouble over handshake

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Monday, Aug 27, 2007
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Constables in trouble over handshake

PUNE: The expansive handshakes they had with actor Sanjay Dutt outside the Yerawada jail gate after he was released on bail on Thursday have landed nine constables in trouble with authorities ordering the suspension of one and instituting an inquiry against the eight others.

A constable, who hugged Mr. Dutt — convicted under the Arms Act in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case — has been suspended while the eight others whose friendly gestures towards the ‘Munnabhai’ of the silver screen were seen in a live coverage by television channels all over, will be facing a departmental probe, according to jail superintendent Rajendra Dhamne. As Mr. Dutt came out of the jail gates following grant of an interim bail by Supreme Court on the morning of August 23, a group of constables on duty eagerly sought to shake hands with the Bollywood star.

Against prison norms

“These men in uniform by their gestures towards a convicted criminal have violated the decorum and prison norms,” Mr. Dhamne said.

The action against “friendly” cops at the Yerawada jail came consequent to a directive by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil. — PTI

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