Bombay High Court directs police to investigate role of Bharti, Shinde and other top police officers for their 'interest' in a case outside their jurisdiction

Trouble is brewing for Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Deven Bharti and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pradeep Shinde, as the Bombay High Court has taken cognisance of a complaint against the duo for exerting influence in a case outside their jurisdiction.

A justice bench of B H Marlapalle and U D Salvi issued an order on July 26 (a copy of which is with MiD DAY) asking DCP Zone 12 Rajendra Dabhade, Senior Inspector of Vanrai police station Suresh Shinde, and the government of Maharashtra to submit a progress report of a case reported in the Vanrai police station in Goregaon in May, within 15 days.

On May 31, Anmol Kashmiri, a businessman based in Dhobi Talao had registered a first information report (under Sections 409 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code) against a former business associate Vipul Agrawal, at the Vanrai police station in Goregaon.

The same day, the police picked up Agrawal from his Colaba residence but released him after bringing him to the police station. The officers on duty reportedly told Kashmiri that Bharti and Shinde had asked them not to arrest Agarwal, and to "go slow in the matter".

Pradeep Shinde reportedly visited the Vanrai police station and spoke to senior inspector Suresh Shinde to release Agarwal. He escorted Agrawal out of the station and dropped him home in his car. Kashmiri even placed a complaint with the police control room at 9.30 pm after seeing Pradeep Shinde in the station.

"The Bombay High Court has issued an order to the cops and the government of Maharashtra to submit a progress report of my case within 15 days," Kashmiri told Sunday MiD DAY.

Kashmiri filed the FIR after Agarwal allegedly took Rs 38.15 lakh from to start a new business in 2008, Excel Polymeters and Packaging Pvt Ltd., whose factory located in Goregaon. Agarwal promised to make Kashmiri a director in the company and return his initial investment by giving him shares in the company. However, Agarwal allegedly broke their agreement and failed to return the money to Kashmiri.

Sunday MiD DAY tried to get in touch with DCP Dabhade but he did not respond to either calls or text messages.
Suresh Shinde, senior inspector of Vanrai police station said, I am at home. I cannot comment today."