Terming it a personal matter, Special Inspector General (wireless) of Maharashtra R K Sahay, may have dismissed the report about 15 cops guarding his father-in-law, a cancer patient undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital.

However, with the issue now finding space for criticism in public domain, he may no longer be able to duck the issue.


Under fire: Home Minister RR Patil has asked the Director General of
Police to make inquiries into the matter of Sahay deploying 15 cops
outside the Tata Memorial Hospital (top right). File pic

Following MiD DAY's report on September 28 ('15 cops on duty at hospital for IG's in-law') Home Minister RR Patil, has asked the Director General of Police to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

Confirming his orders, Patil said, "I have seen the report and have asked the DGP to make appropriate inquiries into the matter."

When contacted, Sahay refused to comment, stating that it was a personal issue. However, sources revealed that after the report was published, the constables attached to the local arms unit were taken off duty. While the wireless staffers are still on duty, they have been asked to park their vehicles at a distance from the hospital to avoid further scrutiny.

'Make Sahay pay'
In the wake of the controversy, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) MLA Bala Nandgaonkar, shot off a letter to the Chief Minister, Home Minister and Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, asking the State government to charge Sahay from the date he deployed constables at the hospital.

"I have written to the CM, HM and Principal Secretary about the matter. If MLAs and MPs are being charged for security cover, then why not Sahay? He has been using the constables to guard his father-in-law. Even the constables fell sick waiting at the hospital corridors. Just because you're a police officer, it does not mean you can deploy your staff for personal use and waste the money of the aam aadmi," said Nandgoankar.