Does Ambekar still have a political shield?

Nagpur: The so-called gangster-turned-real estate dealer Santosh Ambekar, who has been slapped thrice with provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA), was arrested by Lakadganj police on Monday and taken to court from where he walked away easily with bail being granted without hiccups. He is also learnt to be close to a top city-based politician who has faced several allegations of scams in the past. Earlier, Lakadganj police had invoked a set of bailable sections under Indian Penal Code (IPC) to book Ambekar who had erected pandals blocking road without permission to organize Ganpati festival at his place in Itwari last week. Police registered the offence on the day when Ambekar, who is now known to nurture political ambitions, organized the ganpati festival at his place.
The feast at Ambekar’s palatial bungalow was attended by several top politicians, including some MLAs, and was allowed to continue despite lodging of a First information report (FIR) against him earlier in the day. Sources said the senior politician, now a national leader, was also expected at his place. “Ambekar is also learnt to be travelling to Delhi to meet the politician in connection with some government contract,” said a reliable source.
Zonal DCP Abhinash Kumar had claimed that police were aware of the pandal but could not find the ‘man’ who erected it so it could be removed. “The man who had erected the pandal could alone have removed it and so police were looking for him at his residence. He was not found,” Kumar explained. Intriguingly, Ambekar is learnt to have played host to a number of guests at his place when police were supposed to be ‘looking for him’ in eyewash of an action. A local resident said that DCP Kumar should scan the CCTV footage of Ambekar’s place to verify the version of Lakadganj police.
Prior to Ambekar’s Ganpati festival, Lakadganj police tried to play a safe game. They had summoned him to serve a notice under Section 149 of Criminal procedure code (CrPC). He was also asked to remain present at the police station in an action that turned out to be another ‘drama’ by police acting under political pressure. Senior PI SB Mane of Lakadganj police said that he took every possible legal action against Ambekar for erecting the pandal and blocking traffic. “There was no phone or pressure from any political party or individual for (going soft on) Ambekar,” said Mane denying the allegation.