ACP Wani, who attended Chhota Rajan aide’s Chembur bash, reinstated

ACP Prakash Wani, who was suspended for allegedly attending a party hosted by underworld don Chhota Rajan’s henchman at Chembur Gymkhana two years ago, has been reinstated.

The state home department posted him in the Mumbai Crime Branch just one month prior to his retirement so that he can enjoy post-retirement benefits.

Sources said, “ACP Wani received the order on December 29, 2011. Wani, who joined the Mumbai police in 1977 as a sub-inspector, will be retiring on January 31, 2012.”

Then Mumbai commissioner of police D Sivanandhan had recommended the suspension of deputy commissioner of police (special branch) VN Salve, assistant commissioner of police Prakash Wani, Chembur police senior inspector RS Khakale and two others for allegedly attending the bash.

Later, the then CM Ashok Chavan on January 3, 2010, okayed their suspension, while ordering a high level probe into the incident. The police claimed to have evidence of the officers attending the party at the Chembur Gymkhana on the intervening night of December 24-25 organised by Paulson Joseph, a close Rajan aide.

Those attending the party included Rajan aides DK Rao, Sunil Potdar, Farid Tanasha and Amit Mitbaukar.

It was reportedly organised to celebrate the release of notorious gangster DK Rao after spending 13 years in jail.