Concert organisers allege manhandling by cop; probe underway

The organisers of pop star Enrique Iglesias' concert held here on Wednesday night have alleged that a senior police official roughed them up when they objected to allow his guests without requisite passes.

Without naming the officer, the organisers, in a statement issued here today, said that when they objected to the entry of a large number of guests brought by him for the concert, "a certain assistant commissioner of police (ACP) started hitting the organisers with a stick in his hand."

The statement said a "written application" had been filed with police, complaining against the officer concerned.

Police, however, said they had not registered a complaint against ACP V T Pawar, who was on bandobast duty for the concert.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil said police are investigating the circumstances which led to the alleged complaint and a decision on admitting an FIR would be taken afterwards.

When contacted, ACP Pawar said police had to enforce security measures at the concert as the organisers were allowing people inside the venue without proper frisking.

He denied having brought his own guests for the concert which allegedly led to a fracas with the organisers.