This is an archive article published on March 1, 2024
Khwaja Yunus ‘custodial death’ CID opposes Waze’s plea to become approver, says he had interrogated Yunus on day he was last seen alive
Waze had last month sought to become an approver in the case, 21 years after the incident, claiming that Yunus was never handed over to him. Waze had said in his plea that he was not in the vicinity nor had he assaulted Yunus at any point.
The CID has also cited other documents including a petition filed before the High Court in 2005, where it claims that Waze had made a submission that he had reported to the crime branch on January 5, 2003 and had interrogated Yunus. (File)
Opposing dissmissed cop Sachin Waze’s plea to become an approver in the alleged custodial death of 27-year-old software engineer Khwaja Yunus in 2003, the state CID (Criminal Investigation Department) said he is a main accused in the case and had interrogated Yunus on the day he was last seen alive.
Waze had last month sought to become an approver in the case, 21 years after the incident, claiming that Yunus was never handed over to him. Waze had said in his plea that he was not in the vicinity nor had he assaulted Yunus at any point.
In a plea filed by CID opposing Waze’s application to turn approver through special public prosecutor, Pradip Gharat, it has been said that statements of witnesses, including policemen, showed that Waze had interrogated Yunus on that day.
“Witnesses….have stated that on January 6, 2003, the applicant/accused (Waze) has interrogated deceased Khwaja Yunus between 12.30 noon and thereafter for the whole day. Thus, this contention that he does not come in the picture till only at the stage of disappearance of the deceased, is not correct,” the CID has said.
Waze is facing charges including murder and destruction of evidence of the Indian Penal Code along with three other policemen, with the CID claiming that on January 6, 2003, they had made a false story that Yunus had escaped while being taken to Aurangabad, even though he had died in custody after being brutally assaulted.
Yunus was among those arrested for probe in the 2002 Ghatkopar blast case. Those arrested along with Yunus were all acquitted or discharged of all charges. One of them had deposed that he had seen Yunus being assaulted and him vomiting blood while at the crime branch unit on January 6, 2003.
The CID has also cited other documents including a petition filed before the High Court in 2005, where it claims that Waze had made a submission that he had reported to the crime branch on January 5, 2003 and had interrogated Yunus. It also referred to a judicial inquiry, where Waze is claimed to have said that he had taken part in the interrogation.
Story continues below this ad
The CID said that in his application now, Waze is denying Yunus being handed over to him. “(This) clearly shows that the applicant/accused will not disclose the truth or any inculpatory fact appearing in the evidence against him and will try to mislead this Honourable Court…” The CID has also said that Waze was making comments on the prosecutor in his plea ‘which he has no right to do’. Further, the CID has also said that Waze is in custody in other ‘sensitive’ cases, including the alleged murder of Thane-resident Mansukh Hiran and the Antilia terror.
Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues.
Expertise
Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports.
Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on:
Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system.
Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on:
Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates.
Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children.
Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions.
Experience
Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor.
Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape.
Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism.
She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More
3 min read
