HC angry over ‘helpless’ police authorities
The Bombay high court on Monday pulled up the crime branch and the Thane prison authorities for their “helplessness” in dealing with the “royal” treatment meted out to Suresh Bijlani, prime accused in the Navi Mumbai builder Sunil Lohariya murder case, in the Thane civil hospital.
Directing the crime branch DCP, Satyanarayan Chaudhary, to take over the probe into the matter, a division bench of Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari and Justice Gautam Patel asked him to ascertain Bijlani’s medical condition and submit an affidavit on September 27.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Lohariya’s son Sandeep challenging a Thane session court’s order directing Bijlani to be taken to hospital for treatment. Bijlani has been in the civil hospital since then, where he is alleged to be enjoying privileged treatment and being allowed to use a cellphone.
The crime branch, on Monday, filed an affidavit stating that since
Bijlani is in judicial custody, it is the responsibility of the jail authority. The superintendent of the Thane prison, however, in his affidavit shifted the blame to the investigating agency and said a letter was sent to the officer on the issue.
“What we have noted from the affidavits is that blame is being shifted from one authority to another. The police is remarkably solicitous with this man. All of you are helpless and can do nothing,” said Justice Dharmadhikari.
The court stated that all records should be handed over to the DCP and only he will be answerable to the court now.
It also asked Mr Chaudhary to visit JJ Hospital, where Bijlani was taken for examination, to obtain his medical papers and inform the court on his condition.
The court also observed that while this was a fit case for ordering an inquiry against the errant officers, it would take a decision on this at a later stage.
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