MUMBAI: A departmental inquiry into the handling of the abetment to suicide case involving interior designer Anvay Naik and his mother has indicted the then investigation officer Suresh Warade and sought his suspension.
The report says Warade, in documents submitted to the Alibaug court, said he had informed Naik’s wife Akshata about closing the case, which was not true. He was to write to Akshata, the complainant, and inform her about the course of action he intended to take. He did not, but in the form (No.17) submitted to the Alibaug court, he mentioned he had intimated Akshata Naik, said the report.
By doing this he has even misled the court, said the report signed by Sonali Kadam, deputy superintendent of police, Alibaug. Warade declined to comment saying it is not appropriate for him to say anything on this matter. DIG Kokan Range, Sanjay Mohite, has written to Mira Bhayander police commissioner Sadanand Date asking him to immediately suspend Warade, who is now a senior inspector in Virar, which falls in the latter’s jurisdiction. Date told TOI, “We have received the communication from the DIG Thane range. We will examine it and thereafter initiate appropriate action.”
The report said it appears that despite knowing it was a serious offence, Warade was negligent in investigations and created a sense of suspicion. A detailed inquiry is underway and hence it is not proper for him to continue in the post, the report said.
On the day of the incident, Warade reached the scene of the crime at 8.40am. He should have shifted the bodies to the nearest government hospital immediately. He informed the Naik family around 9.30 am and waited till 2.30 pm for them to arrive before shifting the bodies to a hospital. The inquiry report said Warade did not provide any explanation.
Despite finding a suicide note from Naik’s farmhouse in which the deceased held three people responsible, Warade registered two separate accidental death reports, which is not explained. Warade registered the ADRs around 3 pm though the doctor issued a death certificate only at 3.45pm. The error in noting the time of death is incomprehensible, the report said. Warade is also accused of not sending material from the crime scene for forensic tests. While Naik committed suicide after killing his mother, Warade registered a murder case three months later.Though both were brought dead to the hospital, Warade noted that they died while being treated at the hospital.