Book other Tilak Nagar cops as co-accused: Salves’ lawyer

The state government should take stern action against the Tilak Nagar police for trying to shield the two constables who, in a drunken state, allegedly thrashed 17-year-old Kalyan Salve to death on Sunday night, said  advocate Ram Chavan, who is representing the Salves.

He also demanded that the police officers be booked as co-accused in the police brutality case. The lawyer said a delegation will meet chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and state home minister RR Patil at Mantralaya on Thursday and joint commissioner of police (crime) Himanshu Roy, at the Mumbai police headquarters.

Chavan added that the state should initiate a departmental inquiry against deputy commissioner of police (zone-VI) Lakshmi  Gautama for deliberately delaying the registration of the FIR against constables Rashid Tadvi and Govind Lad.

It has been more than 48 hours since the FIR was lodged, but the crime branch is still yet to arrest the two constables, Chavan said.

He pointed out the the incident had three witnesses — Kalyan’s cousin, his friend and an autorickshaw driver. The advocate added that he would record their statements on Wednesday so the police do not threaten them or attempt to tamper with evidence.
Ramesh Gavit, senior inspector of the Tilak Nagar police station, refused comment.