State ATS gives clean chit to Khadse: ‘No calls to or from Dawood’

Seeking a CBI probe, Bhangale had claimed in a petition to have penetrated into the authentication process of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd. He had claimed that he had acquired Dawood’s call records and one of the five telephone numbers that had allegedly emerged was that of Khadse.

Bhangale had also pleaded that the state government be directed to ensure Khadse ‘is constrained from interfering’ into the probe.

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He had claimed that he had accessed different categories of information, including latest telephone bills registered in the name of Dawood’s wife Mehjabeen Sheikh, latest call data records of gangster Dawood’s landline, latest frequent calling list and service request, elaborating calls between Dawood and the former revenue minister with timings and duration.

Pradhan, however, refuted the allegations and said that there was no terror angle to the case and no such communication. Besides the senior lawyer also submitted a confidential report, comprising crucial documents related to the case, before Justices N H Patil and Prakash Deu Naik.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Pradhan said, “The ATS has stumbled upon a crucial lead, which I will not disclose right now. The probe will be taken over by the Cyber Crime Cell which is better equipped and has technical expertise.”

The HC accepted the submissions of the ATS’s counsel and disposed of Bhangale’s petition. It directed Bhangale to cooperate and appear before the police, whenever called upon.

“He has attended to the investigating agency twice but after that, his lawyer said he would visit only on the directions of the High Court,” Pradhan said.

The court also asked Bhangale to make a representation to the police commissioner after he informed that he feared a threat to his life.