Man in Beed District Faces Judicial Custody for Misusing Dial 112 Emergency Helpline
A 28-year-old man from Beed district has been remanded in judicial custody after he made a false theft call to the Dial 112 emergency helpline and later allegedly threatened police personnel, according to authorities. The incident underscores the serious consequences of misusing critical emergency services designed for public safety.
False Report and Police Response
The accused, identified as Pradosh Jadhav, a resident of Kumbharwadi in Georai taluka of Beed district, called Dial 112 around 10:20 PM on January 30. He claimed that gold and cash had been stolen from Balaji Trading Company located in Madalmohi. In response, personnel from the Madalmohi police outpost promptly arrived at the scene to verify the complaint.
Officials stated that when police contacted Jadhav to ascertain the exact location of the alleged theft, he admitted over the phone that no theft had occurred. Jadhav confessed that he made the call deliberately to "keep the police busy and cause inconvenience," wasting valuable police resources and potentially delaying assistance to genuine emergencies.
Legal Action and Escalation
After verifying that the information was false, police filed a complaint at the Georai police station. Based on this, a case was registered against Jadhav under BNS Section 212, which pertains to furnishing false information to mislead public servants. The situation escalated when Jadhav allegedly called staff at the Madalmohi police outpost again, issuing threats and questioning how they could continue in service after booking a case against him.
In response to this intimidation, police registered a non-cognisable offence under BNS Section 224 for criminal intimidation, adding to the legal charges against him.
Judicial Proceedings and Custody
Jadhav was produced before the special executive magistrate and additional superintendent of police in Beed for preventive action. The magistrate approved his remand under preventive provisions until February 9, after which he was sent to Beed district jail. This judicial custody serves as a stern reminder of the legal repercussions for abusing emergency systems.
Police Stance on Emergency Service Misuse
Beed Superintendent of Police Navneet Kanwat emphasized that misuse of emergency services like Dial 112 will not be tolerated. "Dial 112 is meant for citizens in distress. Providing false information not only wastes police resources but can also delay help to those who genuinely need it. We have instructed officers to take strict action against anyone found misusing the emergency helpline," Kanwat told TOI.
This case highlights the importance of using emergency helplines responsibly, as false reports can divert attention from real crises and strain law enforcement capabilities. Authorities urge the public to reserve such services for genuine emergencies to ensure timely assistance for all citizens.
