Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has taken a dim view of a police officer sending a friend’s request on Facebook to a complainant woman, while investigating her case. The court has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to investigate and take action on a woman’s complaint against the police officer.

A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela Gokhale expressed its disapproval of the conduct, stating, “We fail to understand how an officer investigating the case of the petitioner, a lady, can send such a friend request to her or, in fact, to anybody whose cases he is investigating.” The bench emphasised the seriousness of the matter after the petitioner’s lawyer presented a printout of the friend request in court.

The woman’s complaint was lodged against Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Atul Landge from Samata Nagar police station, who was present during the hearing on January 6. Considering the officer’s actions and the manner in which the case was being handled, the court ordered the DCP to review the investigation and address the officer’s conduct.

“The DCP must also look into the conduct of the PSI who sent the friend request and take appropriate action,” the bench directed. The court further instructed the DCP to appear before it via video conferencing on January 14, when the matter will be heard next.

The petitioner had approached the High Court seeking directions for police to register an FIR regarding the theft of valuables, including Rs 15 lakh cash, from her daughter’s rental flat.

According to the petition, the theft occurred between June and July 2024 when her daughter was hospitalized in the ICCU due to a neurological infarction caused by mental stress. Despite filing a police complaint in August 2024, the petitioner alleged no action was taken, prompting her to move the High Court.

Her advocate informed the court that instead of pursuing the theft investigation, the PSI sent a Facebook request to the petitioner, which was brought to the court’s attention. Taking a serious view, the bench remarked, “Considering the officer’s conduct and how the case was being handled, the probe should be handed to a higher-up.”