Vasant Dhoble

Vasant Dhoble is an Indian police officer, currently serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Mumbai. He was head of Mumbai Police's Social Service branch, and has been in the news of late due to his frequent raids on the city's bars and pubs.^[1]

He became a controversial personality for his style of functioning as the ACP of the Social Services Branch. He is criticised by some of acting as an extra-constitutional authority or acting as the "Moral Police". His supporters see him one of the most effective policemen who has initiated action against illegal hawkers, pubs and bars which operate beyond statutory deadlines and are often found breaking the law. It is alleged that the main detractors of Mr. Dhoble who accuse him of "moral policing" are owners/users of pubs and restaurants, which are indirectly owned by several powerful politicians and businessmen.^[2][3]

He was transferred from the Social Services Branch to the Vakola Division in September 2012.^[4] He was recently transferred again when a hawker died due to a heart attack, during a drive against illegal hawkers.^[5]

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