MUMBAI: In a double jolt to the Mumbai police, while the 37th Esplanade metropolitan magistrate on Monday granted the two MLAs-Ram Kadam and Kshitji Thakur bail, the home department suspended sub inspector Sachin Suryavanshi on the grounds that he misbehaved with Thakur on March 18.

Sources said that the home department on Monday suspended Suryavanshi after a preliminary inquiry report found his behaviour rude and indecent. ``The video footage captured by Thakur which was examined by the department found, Suryavanshi talking to public representative very rudely and indecently. He should have been mannered his talks after learning that he was talking to a MLA.’’ Said an official.

Home Minister R R Patil on Monday announced in the assembly the suspension of Suryavanshi for being “rude and misbehaving” with Thakur. Sources said that the home department’s decision comes hot on the heels after a senior politician on Saturday asked its Ministers to cool down the matter. Patil said he had watched the CD of the “verbal duel” Suryavanshi had with Thakur on Bandra-Worli sealink on March 18 following which he had announced in the legislative council that the incident will be probed and if found guilty appriopriate action would be taken. “As per the preliminary inquiry by DCP S R Nilevad (DCP, Traffic-South), Suryavanshi was rude to Thakur, which is unbecoming of a police officer.’’ Patil told media.

The assembly witnessed a huge uproar and legislators stalled proceedings of the two Houses of legislature over the last few days demanding action against the officer.

Suryavanshi, attached to the Worli police station, was thrashed by around 10 to 12 MLAs including Thakur and Kadam inside the Vidhan Bhavan, state's legislature complex, on Tuesday after he being called by deputy speaker Vasant Dhavkare after MLAs complaint against Suryavanshi’s rude behaviour. On Monday Suryavanshi who was on traffic duty had stopped Thakur’s car and fined him for speeding on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The argument between Thakur and Suryavanshi which had settled was again fueled when Suryavanshi was called by Dhavkare at Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday.

Meanwhile the Esplanade court on Monday granted bail to Thakur and Kadam on cash bail of Rs 15,000 each and said that they are entitled for the bail. However court also directed duo to visit the crime branch office every Wednesday and not to hamper investigations and not to try to influence the witnesses. The court released them after police told the court that they don’t want their custody any more and will take whenever they need it. Both were send to Judicial custody at Arthur road jail.

The city crime branch have still not got hold of the cctv footage from the Vidhan Bhavan which would help them arrest the 12 other MLAs. ``The assembly had promised to hand over the footage on Monday but till evening they have not turned up. Its an deliberately done to delay the probe.’’ Said an officer strictly on condition of anonymity.

