When the police nab a suspect in connection with a crime, he is almost condemned even before a court can pass a verdict. He is often not allowed to meet his family or relatives until the courts intervene.

But when policemen themselves are suspects in a case, special privileges are extended to them till they are proven guilty.

Some of the accused in the Mumbai bomb blasts case have objected to this discrimination.

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Referring to the photograph of a policeman, arrested in connection with the custodial death of a suspect, using a cell phone while he was in the court for a hearing, they have asked Justice A P Bhangale how a suspect could get access to a cell phone while in custody.

The policeman in question is Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze. He was arrested recently in connection with the mysterious disappearance and murder of Ghatkopar bomb blast accused Sayed Khwaja Yunus.

On Wednesday March 10, a Mumbai newspaper carried a photograph of him using a cell phone while policemen were taking him to prison after court proceedings.

Secondly, they have also pointed out to the wives of former Mumbai police commissioner R S Sharma and suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Pradeep Sawant, being held under MCOCA (in connection with the stamp scam), being permitted to sit inside the courtroom on March 3, 2004 when the duo had appeared in a special court as witnesses in the Ketan Tirodkar case.

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The Mumbai bomb blast accused have requested that one person of their family also be allowed to sit in court on the date of their hearing.

The court has asked the editor and publisher of the newspaper to clarify on affidavit as to what exactly happened with respect to the use of cell phone by Vaze.