SIT to declare missing officers as absconders

The team started its search early this year soon after the arrest of dismissed encounter specialist and prime accused in the case,Pradeep Sharma,in January along with three other cops and two others for allegedly killing Gupta in November 2006 in suburban Versova. Gupta is believed to have been a close aide of gangster D K Rao.

“The paper work is over and we will move court this week. We are seeking permission to declare them proclaimed absconders so that they can be apprehended soon,” said special public prosecutor R N Mishra.

The SIT headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police K M M Prasanna was constituted by the Bombay High Court after Gupta’s advocate and brother Ramprasad Gupta approached the HC alleging that his brother was murdered by the police and the incident was then passed off as an encounter. Other accused in the case include senior inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi,who allegedly led the team and three constables,Ratnakar Kamble,Tanaji Desai and Vinayak Shinde.