The State Human Rights Commission on Tuesday disposed of a complaint filed by a 66-year-old Borivali resident, whose office was allegedly vandalized by the Borivali police, a few BMC officials, and some private individuals in 2019, citing it as a civil dispute. However, the complainant stated that she will definitely file an appeal in the matter and continue fighting the case.

The complainant, Vijaya Mukane, has been fighting the case since 2019, when the authorities allegedly trespassed into her office on S.V. Road, Borivali. At the time, her 80-year-old mother was taking care of the office in Mukane’s absence, along with an office boy, when the accused police officers and others allegedly trespassed. Mukane’s complaint stated that the accused vandalized her office, dispersing several files that were kept there.

Mukane, who retired in 2018, was herself a Mantralaya officer.

Speaking to FPJ, Mukane said, “I am deeply saddened by the judgment passed by the SHRC, as the case was simply disposed of citing a civil dispute, which is already being heard before the appropriate court. However, I had approached the SHRC in 2019, believing that the commission would take cognizance of the criminal act committed by the police and others. They did not stop there, but also committed atrocities by passing comments about my caste. Despite this, the SHRC did not appreciate my plea, and hence, I am deeply saddened.”

Mukane claimed that she had been convincing people not to fall for an alleged illegal Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project planned in her area. She assumes this could be the reason why the police and others committed the offense.