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Case against Gorhe and Narvekar
As many as 45 days after a magistrate court directed the police to collect voice samples of Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe and Milind Narvekar, personal assistant to Sena executive director Uddhav Thackeray, cops have been unable to do so. The duo had filed an appeal and hearing had been pending. The court of judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) RL Wankhade had on February 23 permitted the police to collect the voice samples.
“This is an important evidence which would speed up further investigations in the case. We are hopeful of a final order on May 4, the next date of hearing that was adjourned from April 13,” said senior police inspector Suhas Nadgouda of Bundgarden police station and investigating officer in the case.
“ Sensing there could be political pressure to withdraw the case, the police hurriedly filed chargesheet against the duo (on March 14). Once the chargesheet is filed, the case becomes sub-judice and there is little chance of applying political pressure,” said a lawyer connected with the case. The lawyer further said since the duo have been trying to avoid appearing for collection of their voice samples, it is obvious the results of the voice samples would help the prosecution.
Gorhe and Narvekar were booked on December 29 on the basis of their mobile phone conversations intercepted by the police on December 27. Their phone conversations had revealed that Narvekar had allegedly directed Gorhe to create law and order problems by mobilising people to take to the streets and set ablaze buses and trucks on December 28, when a bandh was called in Pune.
The bandh was to protest the shifting of Dadoji Konddeo’s statue from Lal Mahal. Around 55 PMPML buses were damaged during the bandh and auto rickshaw services were hit. The duo had surrendered before the court on December 30 and were released on bail against a surety of Rs 15,000 each.
On February 16, Nadgouda moved an application in the court seeking permission to collect the duo’s voice samples. “It is important evidence that will strengthen the case,” Nadgouda said.
Though the court permitted the police to collect their voice samples on February 26, the duo failed to turn up at the Bundgarden police station on that day saying they had not received a copy of the court order.
After filing an appeal to quash the lower court’s order, the final order is expected on May 4.
