HC says nothing doing

The Bombay high court denied bail to an autorickshaw driver, who set a traffic police constable on fire in Vasai after the latter asked him to show his driving licence. The court observed that such incidents have to be viewed seriously while refusing bail to the convict serving a life imprisonment sentence for murder.

Mahendra Kumar alias Lala Duvari Kevat had sought bail saying, “There is discrepancy in the evidence provided by eyewitnesses. The deceased was also not in a fit state of health and mind to make a statement to the police or to the doctor which was treated as his dying declaration. The deceased, who was on sedatives, was not conscious and his dying declaration can’t be accepted.”

Additional public prosecutor Hitendra Dedhia opposed the plea and said, “A strong case has been made  against the applicant. An on-duty constable was burnt alive by the applicant on a flimsy ground. He doesn’t deserve to be pardoned.”

The deceased constable Anil Aitodekar, 42, was patrolling near Vasai bus depot on October 27, 2010 when he stopped Kumar and asked him to show his licence and other documents. Kumar, who was penalised, returned to the spot later with a bucket of petrol and set Aitodekar on fire. The police charged Kumar with murder and a sessions court in Vasai sentenced him to life imprisonment last year.

The high court agreed with the prosecution and observed: “It is disturbing to note that a constable was burnt alive after pouring petrol on him. Such incidents shakes the morale of law enforcement agencies and have to be viewed seriously.”