Navi Mumbai: The husband and brother of slain assistant police inspector Ashwini Bidre on Thursday alleged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Director General of Police Satish Mathur have been unresponsive to their applications. If anything happens to their family, the CM will be responsible, they said.
“Even after my father had written to the CMO that he will immolate himself at Mantralaya if our demands are not met, there was no call or response. This clearly shows the government is interested only in protecting the accused,” Anand Bidre, the cop’s brother, said at a press conference.
Constables attached to the Crime Branch were seen video-recording the conference. “The presence of the police shows they are trying to put pressure on us to not speak to the media,” Raju Gore, the husband, said.
Bidre’s family has been demanding the trial of the case in a fast track court, with Ujwal Nikam as the public prosecutor. They have also sought appointment of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sangeeta Alphanso as the investigating officer till the conviction.
CM will be responsible
Mr. Gore said one of the accused is a suspended police officer, while another is the nephew of BJP leader Eknath Khadse.
“Since the charge sheet has been filed, the accused will move a bail application. Ms. Alphanso is attached to the case till May 31, and ACP Nilesh Raut, the investigating officer, will be retired this month. After that, it will be easy for the accused to get bail as there will be no strong opposition. Once they are out, they can tamper with the evidence and also put our life in danger. Then, if something happens to us, the CM will be responsible as he has not been hearing our pleas,” Mr. Gore said.
They family claimed as of now, four applications have been pending with the CM and the home secretary each, three with the DGP, and one with Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale.
They further alleged that Mr. Nagrale is helping the accused as he has never addressed a press conference.
“Even for a small case, the police issue a press note; why not in this case. This shows a hidden agenda,” Mr. Gore said.
He also said the narco test and brain mapping plea at Alibag sessions court is pending, and for the last 33 dates, the police have not been appearing.
Details confidential
A senior officer, who did not wish to be named, said, “It is our decision if we want to reveal details to the media or not. The complainant cannot demand it. In sensitive cases like this, we would prefer to keep the details confidential as the accused are highly-influential.”
Mr. Gore said the key accused, police inspector Abhay Kurundkar, is yet to be terminated from the service even after being arrested in the murder of his own colleague.
