Encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma has been transferred to Amaravati by Commissioner AN Roy, following a HC order in the Khwaja Yunus case.
Four months after the Bombay High Court ordered the city police to transfer encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma in connection with the Khwaja Yunus case, the high-profile officer was finally shunted out to Amaravati in Vidarbha by Commissioner AN Roy on Monday night.
Nine other police officers, who are connected with the case, had already been transferred to different regions of the state. They were all working in Andheri, Powai and Ghatkopar units of Crime Branch. Sources said the delay in the transfer could be attributed to Sharma’s “influence and political connections”. They also said an IPS lobby was protecting him for a long time and hence the four-month delay.
Pradeep Sharma told DNA, “I was already transferred, but my relieving order came yesterday. I do not want to comment on the transfer order.”
However, AN Roy was unavailable for comment.
Khwaja Yunus, an accused in the Ghatkopar blast, had mysteriously disappeared from the police custody. On the report filed by the CID, the high court on October 26, 2006, directed State Director General of Police PS Pasricha to transfer 10 policemen, including encounter specialists Pradeep Sharma and Arun Borude out of city. Police alleged in court that the case could not progress as the Mumbai Crime Branch officers involved in case were not co-operating.
Yunus, a software engineer and resident of Marathwada, was a key accused in Ghatkopar bus blast case. He was arrested by the police in December 2002. He allegedly escaped from a police jeep when it met with an accident while they were taking him to Ahmednagar on January 7, 2003. The alleged accident took place on the highway at Parner in Ahmednagar district. Investigation officer Sachin Vaze, who was injured in the accident, was arrested and is currently on bail.
What are the other encounter specialists doing?
- Inspector Prafull Bhosale: Was arrested in Khwaja Yunus case, was released on bail. He is still under suspension.
- Inspector Vijay Salaskar: Currently in-charge of the Anti-Dacoity and Robbery Cell of the Crime Branch.
- Inspector Dilip Patil: Currently serving at the Oshiwara police station.
- Inspector Ashok Borkar: Currently serving in the CID’s Special Branch in Mumbai. Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze: Was arrested in Khwaja Yunus case. He has been suspended.
- Sub-inspector Daya Nayak: Was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Still under suspension.
- Sub-inspector Nitin Vichare: Was arrested in the Telgi stamp paper scam. Still under suspension.
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