A Pune police inspector has been booked under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act after allegedly arriving intoxicated at Sahakarnagar police station, creating a disturbance and assaulting a complainant during the early hours of Friday, according to a report by Pudhari. The incident took place between around 12.30 am and 3.45 am, with the main disturbance reported between 2 am and 2.30 am.
Rajesh Khandwe, who serves as police inspector (crime) at Sahakarnagar police station, was allegedly intoxicated when he arrived at the station at about 2 am. He reportedly shouted and created a disturbance inside the premises. Senior police officers were informed about the incident and reached the station, after which Khandwe was brought under control, the report said.
A case under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act was registered against Khandwe at Sahakarnagar police station. Woman police constable Meera Kindre filed the complaint in relation to the alleged disturbance, according to the report.
The incident also led to a separate non-cognisable offence entry based on a complaint by Sanket Jadhav. Jadhav had gone to the police station to submit a complaint concerning an alleged assault on his uncle. While he was submitting the complaint, Khandwe allegedly assaulted him with his hands and shoes. The report said Khandwe was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Khandwe was taken to Sassoon General Hospital for a medical examination. The examination reportedly found that he had consumed alcohol. The report did not provide details of any departmental action, suspension or further administrative proceedings against him.
The incident has drawn attention within the Pune city police force because the alleged disturbance took place inside a police station and involved an officer responsible for crime-related duties. A police station is both an administrative workplace and a point of access for citizens seeking to register complaints, making the conduct of officers on duty directly relevant to the handling of public grievances.
The report also stated that cases had previously been registered against Khandwe during his posting in Gadchiroli, but it did not provide details of those cases or clarify their current status. The immediate criminal proceedings concern the alleged alcohol consumption, disturbance and assault reported at Sahakarnagar police station. Further action will depend on the investigation and any departmental process initiated by senior police authorities.
