Bhujbal, Thackeray agree on Telgi

Bhujbal’s outburst marks his return to the political stage after a brief hiatus in Kerala, where he underwent ayurvedic therapy.

‘‘SIT has missed the track and is harassing me and my family members,’’ Bhujbal said. Speaking of SIT chief Puri, Bhujbal said he was an honest and efficient officer but at the moment, appeared to be ‘‘moving in the wrong direction.’’ Since his appointment has been challenged before the SC and the Bombay HC has for the time being refused to accept Puri’s findings, the SIT should forthwith stop further investigation, he said.

Bhujbal said SIT officials were pressuring his personal staff to name him in the scam, while information given by him to help investigators had been deliberately ignored.

In a four-page letter released to the media, Bhujbal said while the main culprits were roaming free, the needle of suspicion was being directed at him and some senior IPS officers.

His erstwhile political mentor also blasted SIT for its partisan attitude. Initially, Thackeray said, he had extended support to SIT, saying it would be wrong to handover the probe to CBI since SIT was performing well. However, following the arrest of Pradeep Sawant, Thackeray said, his views changed. ‘‘I feel SIT’s actions have left Mumbai police demoralised,’’ Thackeray said in an interview to Saamna.

Stating that the investigators were behaving in a ‘‘very cruel manner,’’ Thackeray said, ‘‘SIT is treating IPS officers R.S. Sharma, Sridhar Wagal and Sawant very badly, they have been lodged along with other criminals,’’ adding that former DGP Subhash Malhotra had not been arrested because he was a close friend of Puri.