Fake encounter case: Pradeep Suryavanshi in judicial custody till March 10

Senior inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi arrested in connection with the alleged fake encounter of Ramnarayan Gupta, a suspected aide of gangster Chhota Rajan, was today remanded in judicial custody till March 10.

Suryavanshi was arrested last night by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed under the direction of the Bombay high court to probe the fake encounter case.

The Andheri metropolitan magistrate today remanded Suryavanshi in judicial custody till March 10. The police did not seek his custody.

Besides Suryavanshi, the SIT had in January this year also arrested encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma and seven others for their alleged involvement in the encounter. Ramnarayan alias Lakhan Bhaiyya was shot dead allegedly in an encounter by a police team headed by Suryavanshi on November 11, 2006 at suburban Versova.

Ramnarayan's advocate brother Ramprasad had approached the Bombay high court claiming that his brother was murdered in a staged encounter, following which, the SIT was formed. Sharma is presently in judicial custody and lodged at the Thane central prison.