Land grab: panel to probe charges against cops

Natu had alleged that Deepak Mankar,former corporator Datta Sagare,builder Sudheer Karnataki and their accomplices had threatened him and his family members and forcibly acquired their property in Shukrawar Peth in March last year. Natu said he and his family were forced to sell off the property to Karnataki for Rs 1.25 crore. Natu had alleged that he repeatedly approached the police with his complaint,but there was no response.

In another case,Purnima Prabhu said around 50 goons allegedly sent by Shivaji Mankar and Deepak Mankar attacked them at their residence in Mukundananda on FC Road on December 29 last year. Purnima said they have been residing at the house on FC Road for about 50 years. She alleged that Shivaji Mankar purchased this property from the actual owner and wanted to vacate the tenants.

She had lodged a complaint at Shivajinagar police station against the assailants. She alleged that the police did not investigate the case properly. She said that the assailants assaulted her brother Rajiv Prabhu,who was later admitted to the ICU of a city hospital. She alleged that the police merely booked the assailants on charges of trespassing and later on lodged a criminal complaint against Rajiv,which was later ruled as false by the Bombay High Court on April 3.

When asked about this false complaint,Kumar said,“There was a delay in receiving Rajiv’s medical report. But now the committee headed by assistant commissioner is inquiring into what exactly happened. The truth will come out soon,” A police team again recorded the statement of Purnima on Wednesday evening.

Kumar confirmed that Purnima’s new statement mentions Deepak Mankar as the mastermind behind the attack. “The case is being re-investigated. We have invoked stringent sections against the assailants.”

“The land dispute of Prabhu family is a civil matter. The police will investigate the criminal part of the case,” he said and added that officers of the rank of inspectors needed guidance in investigation on such land disputes.