The officers - Senior Police Inspector Arun Bhaurao Deshmukh attached to the Worli police station and Police Sub Inspector Anand Vishnu Chavan attached to the Sion police station - have been charged with assaulting two accused when they were posted at the Mahim police station.

On August 2, 1996 Besling Sabarnna Mistakar and Kishore Shankar Kale were arrested under sections 452 and 329 of the Indian Penal Code read with section 37 of the Mumbai Police Act read with section 25 of the Arms Act. The accused later alleged that they were beaten up by Deshmukh and Chavan on August 6, 1996 in the course of interrogation. So severe was the beating that the accused were admitted to a hospital. Subsequently, the duo lodged a complaint at the Mahim police station where a case under sections 307, 326, 143, 145, 147, 149 and 34 of the Indian PenalCode was registered by Police Inspector Satam. The case was then transferred to the Crime branch.

Earlier this month, the Crime branch filed a chargesheet before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate K H Holambe-Patil following which the two officers moved the Sessions court for anticipatory bail. In their bail application the two officers said the allegations against them were false and were made at the behest of some builders.

Deshmukh has said that he was not even present in the Mahim police station when the incident is said to have happened. His application said he was away at the Police Headquarters attending a meeting with the Commissioner of Police.

The matter which came up before the Holiday court of Additional Sessions Judge S B Munde on Wednesday has been adjourned to January 14, 1999 following a request by prosecution. Judge Munde has passed an interim order directing the police not to arrest the accused till January 14, 1999.