Constable sings: Arrest of another top cop likely

Constable A. Lotankar’s confession before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) could lead to the arrest of at least a very senior polic...

Constable A. Lotankar’s confession before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) could lead to the arrest of at least a very senior police officer for his role in trying to transfer a police inspector to Nagpur in 1998.

Lotankar, who was arrested on Wednesday, has been charged with conniving with stamp scam main accused Abdul Karim Telgi in getting a police inspector transfered to Nagpur. The former was then a mere ‘orderly’ (personal assistant) attached to the Joint Commissioner of Police in-charge of administration at the police headquarters.

The inspector, whose name has been withheld, had incurred Telgi’s wrath by challenging him. The two were staying in the same building at Fort in South Mumbai.

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The officer was apparently aware that Telgi was into some shady business and warned him of serious consequences. The scamster, on the other hand, boasted of his contacts with senior policemen.

Police sources said Telgi’s lawyer approached Lotankar to transfer the inspector outside Mumbai in 1998. The officer was then shunted to Nagpur, considered a punishment posting.

However, the inspector’s transfer was stayed by the then Mumbai Commissioner of Police and Joint Commissoner of Police (Crime).

Questions are now being raised as to whether constable Lotankar was empowered to transfer a police inspector who was senior to him in rank. The role of some senior police officials is not ruled out.

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