Moral policing: Young couples made to do sit-ups for hanging out together in Thane's Dombivali

A case of moral policing has been reported from Thane's Dombivali area where residents of a housing township forced youngsters to kneel down and do sit-ups for hanging around a mall in their locality.

The incident took place on Wednesday in Palava city located on Kalyan Shil Road in Dombivali.

According to Manpada police, many young couples living in areas such as Mumbra, Dombivali, Daighar and Mahape hang out at the Xperia mall in Palava city during or after college hours. The mall is frequented even by youths not belonging to the township, something the residents there have complained to the security staff about. The objection of these residents is that these young couples would indulge in obscene acts in the mall, which was ruining the children living in the complex.

On Wednesday, a few residents of this township got hold of some of these youngsters, including minor girls and boys, and forced them to kneel down and do sit-ups. This went on for around an hour. Some residents even shot videos and took selfies while the youngsters were doing sit-ups. The youngsters were also abused and manhandled by the residents.

As the clips and photos circulated by this moral policing brigade went viral on social media, Thane Police Commissioner Parambir Singh took cognisance of the issue. Singh asked officials from Manpada police station to take appropriate action against those responsible.

Acting on the orders, Manpada police arrested three residents identified as Yogesh Patil, Shailesh Kurle and Shrikant Shinde who were seen in the videos and pictures circulated on social media.

"The residents didn't complain once to the police about the youngsters and took the matter into their own hands. They were arrested and we are looking for the victims to get more details on the incident. Accordingly, more sections will be added against the accused", said senior police inspector Gajanan Kabjule from Manpada police station.