6 cops suspended for proximity to Abu

Nagpur: Four officers of sub-inspector rank and two constable were placed under suspension on Tuesday by joint CP Ravindra Kadam for their alleged closeness to Motha Tajbagh-based gangster Feroze Khan alias Abu, who is now behind bars after he was caught with ‘MD’ drugs by the special cell of the crime branch last month.
The officers facing suspension are Nilesh Purbhe, Manoj Orke, Sharad Shikne and Sajid Mowal, along with constables Sham Mishra and Jayanta Shelot.

Purbhe, now posted at Hudkeshwar, was earlier working at Sakkardara police station when he was learnt to have got introduced to Abu. Orke, among the ones suspended, is also posted at Sakkardara police station now. PSIs Shikne and Mowal are now serving at Tehsil police station.

Shelot has been suspended for the second time for his association with Abu. He was suspended a couple of months ago after a video of his dancing at the birthday party of Abu had went viral. He was reinstated at Kotwali police station before being shifted to police headquarters once again after Abu was trapped for possessing ‘MD’ drugs. Shelot was later taken to the special squad and subsequently shifted to the crime branch. Amid hoping back-and-forth in various units, Shelot was once again suspended.

Mishra, who too was embroiled in controversies, was suspended for his closeness to Abu. It’s reliably learnt that Mishra and Shelot were frequent visitors to Abu’s place. Sources claimed that apart from Shelot, who was suspended for his presence at Abu’s birthday, there were many other cops too whom the gangster had hosted at his residence.

Kadam said the suspension order was issued in view of the seriousness of allegations against officers and two constables. “We have also ordered an preliminary inquiry against the six,” he said.

It’s learnt the mobile phone call details of Abu was the main reason which led to suspension orders being issued by the top brass. The suspended personnel had several communications with the gangster in the past few months. On several occasions, the cops were also found to be meeting Abu for reasons best known to them.