Pune: Landlord Evicts Tenant’s Belongings With Activist’s Help; Assistant Police Inspector Suspended for Failing to Prevent the Offence
Pune: An Assistant Police Inspector has been suspended for failing to prevent a landlord from committing an illegal act, despite the tenant formally lodging a complaint. The tenant had approached the police station stating that the landlord had locked the flat from outside without permission. However, the officer did not clearly warn the landlord that such an act was unlawful. Subsequently, the landlord and a social activist entered the flat without authorization and removed the tenant’s belongings.
Citing negligence of duty, irresponsible behaviour and actions that could tarnish the image of the police force, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar suspended Assistant Police Inspector Mubarak Nabilal Shaikh, who was posted at Kharadi Police Station.
According to the complaint filed by Gaurav Shivshankar Lakhani (35), he had been renting the flat from owner Rajkumar Bansal since April 2025. In September 2025, the landlord issued a notice asking him to vacate within a month. Lakhani requested additional time, but on 31 October, the landlord allegedly locked the flat in his absence. On 1 November, while Lakhani was at the police station to file a complaint, the landlord and social activist Prabha Karpe insisted he vacate immediately. Later that night, Lakhani found all his belongings placed in the parking area and a new lock on the flat.
Kharadi Police registered a case against the landlord and the activist. Senior officials found that API Shaikh could have prevented the accused from committing the offence but did not act. Based on this dereliction of duty, he was suspended.
