Mumbai, January 2
Five police officers in Mumbai face suspension after they were recorded dancing at a party thrown by members of the Chotta Rajan gang on Christmas Eve.

According to sources, Mumbai police Commissioner D Sivanandan today recommended the suspension of DCP VN Salve and ACP Prakash Wani along with three other junior officers for attending the party thrown by a member of the Chotta Rajan gang, Paulson Thomas.

Those who joined the party included top member of the gang, DK Rao, who was released from jail a few days ago. Apparently the party was thrown to celebrate his release, police said.

The party was organised at the posh Chembur Gymkhana on Christmas Eve after regular patrons were hurriedly asked to leave at around midnight. The police officers got into trouble after one of those attending the party recorded them dancing with Rao on his mobile camera. The footage of less than two minutes was leaked to television channels and newspapers earlier this week by members of the police force who were opposed to the two officers, sources said.

On Friday, Home Minister RR Patil asked Mumbai Police Commissioner D Sivanandan to probe the matter. Today, Sivanandan is said to have recommended suspension of the five officers followed by an inquiry. If found guilty of enjoying the hospitality of the gangsters, the two IPS officers face dismissal from the police force.

While it became clear today that the government may carry out the suspension of the policemen, Wani told reporters that he was innocent. The officer with more than 30 years’ experience denied that he was the one featuring in the video clip though media reports claimed that the video shot in dim light clearly resembled Wani.

Wani added that he had indeed attended a party at the premises but was accompanied by his family and did not meet any gangsters there.

Late this evening, Additional Commissioner of Police Deven Bharti, who was investigating the matter, told reporters that the clips seemed genuine.