Cop murder: Public prosecutor threatens to withdraw from case

NAVI MUMBAI: The special public prosecutor Pradip Gharat, who is representing the state in the API Ashwini Bidre-Gore murder case, has complained to Navi Mumbai police commissioner that the police department has not bothered to brief him about the facts and status of the case or progress of trial.
Advocate Gharat has stated that if he does not get reply to his complaint, he will submit his complaint copy to the Alibaug sessions court where the case is under trial and will stop appearing for the case by presuming that the city police is not interested in pursuing it and shall intimate the same to the chief minister.

Gharat told TOI , "After being appointed as the special public prosecutor in API Ashwini Bidre Gore case, I have appeared thrice in the Alibaug sessions court for the hearing. But the court told me that it seemed to be the most neglected case as the police officer in-charge was never present in court for briefing the case. I was compelled to complain to the Navi Mumbai police commissioner. Despite the media reporting my appointment as a special public prosecutor for the case, the police did not contact me for briefing. It seems to be intentional."
Police commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, "I have inquired into the matter. There seems to be some communication gap as the special public prosecutor had not called us to inform about his appointment. Also, the investigating officer claims that he was present in the court for the trial and briefing. The special public prosecutor has also raised the issue of his to and fro transport which is not admissible."
Kumar added that he had a discussion with the investigating officer ACP (crime) Ajay Kadam, who is going to brief Gharat about the case as the next court hearing is scheduled on June 1.
"In my last 18 years of experience on my appointment as special public prosecutor in sensitive cases, I have always experienced enthusiasm, anxiety and sincerity on part of the police officers with regard to the case and also with regard to the material evidence collected. This is the first time I have come across lethargy in a case."