Court disposes of litigation against police officer Sudhakar Pujari

The Bombay High Court today refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against police inspector Sudhakar Pujari, which alleged that he had "nexus" with underworld.

The division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and AM Khanwilkar said that the court need not interfere, since the commissioner of police had already initiated a departmental inquiry against Pujari.

The litigation was filed by city-based NGO Press Group of Maharashtra.

It alleged that several high-ranking IPS officers suspected him to have links with Chhota Shakeel gang, and a report against him was submitted to the commissioner of police three years ago.

Public prosecutor PA Pol told the court that a chargesheet for departmental inquiry was served on Pujari, and inquiry would begin once he filed his reply.

Pujari, who was in the news two years ago as investigating officer of Maharashtra public service commission examination scam, argued in person.

He claimed that the high court had given him clean chit. "I am being victimised because I initiated a probe into role of several high-ranking officers," he said.

The Bombay High Court while disposing of the PIL, directed Pujari to reply to the chargesheet in 15 days.