Senior crime branch officers on Monday indicated that the noose around inspector Sanjay Shinde has tightened and he is likely to be dismissed from service for allegedly helping Vijay Palande escape from police custody. The incident took place while Palande was being brought to Mumbai from Karad on April 10. Officers said that they were also contemplating whether he could be made an accused in the case.
A departmental inquiry was initiated against Shinde, an inspector attached with unit 8 of the crime branch (Palande’s brother-in-law) to investigate his role in Palande’s escape bid. The report of the probe that was conducted by ACP Arvind Mahabadi has been submitted to joint commissioner of police, crime, Himanshu Roy. Shinde has been suspended since the inquiry began.
“Prima facie, the report indicates Shinde’s involvement in helping Palande escape and in all likelihood, he will be dismissed from service under Article 311 of the Indian Constitution. The director-general of police, Maharashtra has the power to dismiss an officer of inspector rank,” said a senior crime branch officer.
“We are also contemplating whether Shinde can be made an accused in the case and the decision on it will be taken in the next couple of days,” said the officer.
In another disclosure made by the police, Palande has told his interrogators that he was to plan a child with his German wife Nibis Legenza, who planned to come to Mumbai in June this year and live here for around three to four years.