Washroom without privacy

Advocate’s outcry exposes crumbling infrastructure at police station

Thane: A shocking incident has raised serious questions about the basic safety and dignity of women visiting police stations in Thane. On June 4, Adv. Kanchan Ghanshani visited the Naupada Police Station along with her husband regarding an FIR inquiry, only to face a deeply disturbing experience inside the women’s washroom. The toilet, located inside the so-called "Women’s Safety Cell" of the police station, had no internal lock an appalling lapse in a facility meant to serve as a secure space for female visitors and staff.

Rather than fixing the lock, police had posted a humiliating notice outside the washroom, asking visitors to “confirm if someone is inside before pushing the door,” due to the non-functional latch. To make matters worse, a female police personnel not in uniform reportedly pushed open the door while Ghanshani was inside, without warning. She described the intrusion as not only indecent but also a violation of basic privacy and human dignity.

“What kind of administration has money for air-conditioned officer cabins, but not for a simple latch on a women’s bathroom door?” asked Ghanshani angrily, pointing to the misplaced priorities of the police department. The episode sparked outrage over how fundamental safety infrastructure for women is ignored even in critical government institutions like police stations.

Compounding the safety concerns, Ghanshani also pointed out that the electrical wiring for fans and lights in the station’s public waiting area is dangerously exposed a clear threat during the monsoon season. “It only takes one short circuit for a tragedy to happen,” she warned.

Adv. Ghanshani has demanded that senior police officials preferably female officers visit the police station and conduct an on-ground assessment of the facilities. Her immediate demands include:

When contacted, Senior Police Inspector Abhay Mahajan of Naupada Police Station stated that the bathroom in question did have a lock, but it required extra force to latch. “After we were made aware of the problem, we have ensured that the lock has now been fixed properly,” he added.

“This is not just about me,” Ghanshani emphasized, “It’s about every woman who visits a police station and expects basic respect and safety.” Her experience echoes the concerns of countless women who feel unsafe even in spaces meant to protect them. The incident is a stark reminder that ensuring safety goes beyond policing it starts with sensitivity, dignity, and infrastructure that upholds the rights of every citizen.