API Ashwini Bidre Murder Case: Prosecutor Seeks Action Against Officers For Shielding Accused Abhay Kurundkar

While arguing on the sentencing of the main accused Abhay Kurundkar in API Ashwini Bidre murder case, special public prosecutor Pradip Gharat mentioned to court about negligence of various officers in the case from the beginning which helped the accused in tampering with the evidence during the initial probe. “In the investigation of the Ashwini Bidre murder case, several police officers deliberately acted negligently in a manner that helped the accused Abhay Kurundkar. Despite allegations suggesting Kurundkar's involvement in Bidre’s disappearance, his name was still recommended for the President’s Medal,” Gharat told the court. During the previous hearing, on April 5, Gharat had mentioned about the same wherein Justice Paldewar had expressed displeasure over both issues and emphasized the need for action against the officers involved and had asked Gharat to submit his application against the officers who showed negligence.

Following this, Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Pradeep Gharat, during Friday's court proceedings, submitted the application, that mentioned involvement of a police sub inspector who had registered missing person’s complaint in Kalamboli and had not probed the matter even after deceased Bidre’s brother submitted proof of the involvement of Kurundkar in her laptop. The laptop contained videos of Kurundkar assaulting her in her flat which was shot though spy cam in her flat which was not sealed by the officer nor investigated. Furthermore, Adv. Gharat mentioned about the then senior police inspector of KAlamboli police station who did not take any action against the missing complaint or order the PSI to do the same. The FIR too was filed only after High Court orders.

The next person against whom the special prosecutor has raised allegation of negligence is an assistant commissioner who was incharge of the investigation. He was alleged of not making any arrest for 10 months and for not collecting evidence in a proper manner. The then Commissioner of Navi Mumbai too has been accused by the special prosecutor for shielding the accused from arrest.

Besides, the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Thane wherein Kurundkar was posted was accused of accepting him back to duty even after his disappearance for six months, without any explanation and instead giving him a promotion. He has also asked the court to look into the committee that recommended Kurundkar for the medal even after knowing that he is alleged in a kidnapping case of another lady police officer. “I have requested the court to take action not only against the negligent officers but also against the committee responsible for recommending Kurundkar for the prestigious medal,” Gharat said.

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