Ashwini Bidre case: father writes to CM on lapses, threatens self immolation

Navi Mumbai: Jaykumar Bidre, father of slain Navi Mumbai assistant police inspector, Ashwini Bidre, has in a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed that the current Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch of Navi Mumbai was hand-in-glove with the lawyer of the accused police inspector Abhay Kurundkar.

Addressed to the additional chief secretary (home), principal secretary to Chief Minister and office of the Director-General of Police, Mr. Bidre, a former army man, in his letter claimed that Mahesh Falnikar, a childhood friend of Mr. Kurundkar who would have become the approver in the case, denied to become one after the latter’s advocate interfered.

Appeal to investigate

“Mr. Kurundkar’s advocate was being intimated about every step by DCP Tushar Doshi. We want the state government to investigate this matter by verifying Mr. Doshi’s call records, location and obtaining CCTV footage of his office,” Mr. Bidre wrote.

The letter also alleges many lapses in the case from the day one. “While PI Sangeeta Alphanso was assisting in the investigation in the case, she was transferred on promotion and later all the investigation conducted went down the drain. We demanded that the Home Ministry get Ms. Aphanso who was now an assistant commissioner of police, back on the case. But instead of handing over the case to her, she was asked to be a part of it for just three months which has also gotten over,” Mr. Bidre’s letter says.

Mr. Bidre claims that even after requesting the government to extend the tenure of Ms. Alphanso, it has not been done. This, he alleges, is only to facilitate manipulation of the charge sheet which is yet to be filed. “The charge sheet has to be filed by June 2, and we trust Ms. Alphanso with her work. If she is not allowed to file the charge sheet, we are sure it will be manipulated in favour of the accused,” Mr. Bidre has claimed.

The case, which was first being investigated by assistant commissioner of police, Panvel division, Prakash Nilewad, was transferred to assistant commissioner of police, Crime Branch. Nilesh Raut. “Mr. Raut is close to police commissioner Hemant Nagrale and hence he was chosen. It was so that Mr. Raut could act as per Mr. Nagrale’s instructions who was from beginning in favour of the accused,” Mr. Bidre says, adding, “Since we favoured Ms. Alphanso over Mr. Raut, he sent a Whatsapp message to my son-in-law, Raju Gore saying he is the investigating officer and not Ms. Alphanso as she was being quoted all over the media. Mr. Raut wanted media attention but did not wish to work in the case. We have also attached the screenshot of his message along with the letter.”

Probe delay

Mr. Bidre in his letter has also demanded a separate enquiry into the lapses of the case and sought necessary action against each individual responsible for delaying the investigation for two years, failing which, he would self immolate himself before Mantralaya.

A senior police on condition of anonymity said, “The investigations are on right track and the department has taken lot of efforts to bring the case till here. We made a last search for the body on Thursday and nothing was found. Even before Ms. Alphanso was called back for the three-month tenure, Mr. Kurundkar was arrested. We have been able to reach this position due to the joint efforts of all.”