What Started as an AC Dispute Ended at a Police Station: Undri Society Row Explained

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Undri, June 13, 2026: A dispute over an air-conditioning (AC) unit at Godrej Prana Co-operative Housing Society in Undri has led to conflicting allegations between the society’s office bearers and the police, with both sides presenting differing accounts of the events that unfolded at the Undri Police Chowky and later at Kalepadal Police Station, Pune city police.

The controversy stems from a penalty of ₹10,000 imposed by the society in 2024 over the alleged installation of an AC unit and compressor in a common electrical duct without prior approval. The society maintained that the installation violated its by-laws and raised safety and maintenance concerns in a shared area.

According to the society, despite the matter being civil in nature, its managers and office bearers were subjected to unnecessary hardship by the police. The society alleged that its managers were made to remain at the police station for several hours, were not allowed to leave freely, and were unable to communicate with others. It further claimed that representatives who later arrived at the police station were also made to wait for a considerable period.

The office bearers argued that disputes relating to society penalties, by-laws, and common areas should be addressed through cooperative and civil mechanisms rather than police intervention.

The society further stated that such incidents create difficulties for committee members and employees who discharge responsibilities on behalf of hundreds of residents, including women, senior citizens, and families living in the township.

However, Police Constable Nitesh Jagtap of the Undri Police Chowky, which falls under Kalepadal Police Station, denied the allegations of illegal detention and offered a different account of the incident.

According to Jagtap, the flat owner was out of town in Delhi, while tenants were residing in the apartment. He said the tenant had been approaching the society for nearly a week seeking the return of the AC unit and clarification regarding the ₹10,000 penalty.

“The woman had been visiting the society repeatedly to understand why the penalty had been imposed and to request the return of the AC unit. According to her, her concerns were not being addressed. Eventually, she contacted the police helpline seeking assistance,” Jagtap said.

He stated that police advised both parties to bring the AC unit to the Undri Police Chowky so that the issue could be resolved amicably.

“The AC unit had been kept at Balaji Nagar. Questions were also raised about why the society had retained the AC unit for such a long period. Following discussions, society representatives brought the AC unit within 30 to 45 minutes. The unit was opened in front of the concerned woman, and she was asked to verify whether all its components were intact,” he said.

Jagtap also rejected the allegation that the society manager had been detained from 9 a.m. onwards.

“The allegation that the manager was made to sit at the police station from 9 a.m. is incorrect. The police control room call regarding the matter was received at around 10:43 a.m. The concerned person remained at the police chowky for only five to ten minutes during the process and was not unlawfully detained,” he stated.

According to the constable, after the AC unit was handed over and verified, members of the society committee arrived at the location, recorded videos of the proceedings, and allegedly used abusive language in the presence of police officials, including the Assistant Police Inspector posted at the chowky.

Subsequently, all parties proceeded to Kalepadal Police Station, where both sides presented their versions of the incident.

“The actual facts of the matter were discussed at Kalepadal Police Station. The allegations of illegal confinement for several hours are not correct,” Jagtap added.

The incident has highlighted differing perspectives surrounding the dispute. While the society maintains that the issue involved a civil disagreement over society rules and that its representatives faced harassment, the police contend that they merely facilitated the return and verification of the AC unit after receiving a complaint through the emergency helpline.

At the time of publication, both sides stood by their respective versions of events. Any further action in the matter will depend on the findings of the competent authorities.