The Bombay High Court on Wednesday asked the State if it has issued any government resolution (GR) on moral policing.

A division bench comprising Justices VM Kanade and Revati Mohite-Dere was hearing a criminal PIL filed by Khar resident Sumeer Sabharwal, which sought a court-monitored inquiry into a raid in August 2015 in which 64 people, including 13 couples, were rounded up and a fine of Rs 76,800 was collected by the Malwani police. The PIL also seeks appropriate action against erring police personnel, and that the compensation be recovered from the personnel who carried out the raid.

The police have maintained the raid was necessary as locals had complained of people drinking on the streets and creating a nuisance. They have also complained of commercial sex workers operating in the area’s hotels and on the streets.

The court has asked Chief Public Prosecutor Sandeep Shinde to appear before it on March 10 to give information on any GR issued in this regard. It also asked Mr Sabharwal to file a reply to the second affidavit filed by the police, in which they have said they acted on complaints by locals.

The PIL seeks appropriate action against erring police personnel and compensation