Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Human Rights Commission Takes Suo Motu Action on Video of Security Staff Harassing Motorists

Mumbai, 1st July 2025: The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a viral video showing personnel from the Maharashtra State Security Corporation (MSSC) allegedly stopping and harassing commuters inside a tunnel on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The commission has issued a notice to the Director General of Police (DGP) and demanded a detailed inquiry into the matter.

MSHRC Chairperson Justice A M Badar (Retd) stated that a prima facie case of human rights violation appears to have occurred, as MSSC employees do not have police powers under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 or the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

“The personnel of MSSC are not authorised under any existing law to stop or search motorists. Their actions, captured in the video, indicate overreach and harassment of citizens, which may amount to a serious violation of human rights,” Justice Badar noted.

Commission Seeks Reports from DGP and MSSC
The commission has directed the state DGP as well as the Managing Director of MSSC to submit a fact-finding report within eight weeks.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, allegedly shows MSSC personnel deployed in a tunnel between Pune and Mumbai, stopping vehicles without authority and in some instances, extorting or intimidating drivers.

Concern Over Public Safety and Legal Overreach
According to MSHRC, the actions not only lacked legal backing but also posed a serious risk to commuter safety.
“Such unauthorised interception of vehicles inside a high-speed tunnel endangers lives and could easily lead to accidents. This conduct is unacceptable, both in terms of legality and public safety,” the commission stated.
While MSSC personnel are typically assigned security and crowd-control duties under supervision, their role does not extend to law enforcement or traffic regulation.