Serve ACB chargesheet on builder: HC

The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the state government to serve a copy of the chargesheet filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against stock-broker Chandresh Shah and absconding accused Raju, to builder Sandeep Shukla involved in the Haseena Parkar extortion case.

The chargesheet in the ACB case was filed on September 17. Shah and Raju are the only two chargesheeted in the case. Shah is charged with abetting and offering bribe to a public servant.

Public prosecutor Satish Borulkar told the court that Shukla had not been served a copy of the chargesheet since he was not a witness or a complainant in the case. He however said that the chargesheet will now be served to Shukla’s advocate by September 28.

Arguing on behalf of the petitioners, senior counsel SMA Kazmi told the court that there was evidence showing that there were conversations between police officer Anil Mahabole and the accused Raju between January and April. Kazmi said that according to an ACB report of July 18, Mahabole could not explain who the phones belonged to as the addresses he had submitted were non-existent.

An affidavit submitted by the state earlier stated that Raju was an informant for Mahabole and his conversations pertained to work. Justices RMS Khandeparkar and VK Tahilramani will hear the case further on October 11.