In Brief
A property owned by Rajeev Ramrao Chavan was sold to five persons. After Chavan died by alleged suicide, his brother and widow with police support illegally demolished the premises occupied by three tenants. The tenants were detained for 24 hours and coerced into signing documents of voluntary vacation. Two tenants filed a complaint naming 13 accused (the deceased's family, five purchasers, and six police personnel). The High Court upheld an order for FIR registration. The Court quashed proceedings after the purchasers paid compensation to tenants, but imposed punitive costs of Rs. 6 lakhs each on six police officers (distributed by rank) to be deposited in an Armed Forces welfare fund, holding them accountable for unlawful detention and facilitating illegal demolition.
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