Court orders CID probe into Pune

The magistrate also directed CID officials to collect the concerned documents and conduct investigations on priority. He observed, “There is no reason to disbelieve the contents of the application. Direction to investigate the matter is a must. The applicant has made the police machinery respondent. Therefore, to come to the truth of the alleged offence and to come just and proper conclusion, investigation is must. Since the police machinery is respondent, investigation by State CID is essential.”

In his miscellaneous application, Vivek Chavan had pointed to the role of the Municipal Commissioner and the trustees and directors of the Aundh Sports Club at N G Nande swimming pool where Parimal Desai drowned. In his application, Chavan alleged that the police had “deliberately and illegally changed and diluted the offence u/s 304 IPC to 304 (A) of IPC by framing incorrect records and writings and giving false information of offences committed by the respondents”.

Those named as respondents in Chavan’s miscellaneous application were Municipal Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad; trustees and directors of Aundh Sports Club including Mayor Dattatreya Gaikwad, the founder trustee of the club, club president Gokul Gaikwad, vice-president Abhay Sumant Dadhe, secretary Kisan Landge, directors Vijay Bhave, Shrivallabh Bhandare, Babanrao Kumbhare, Madhukar Kamble, Balasaheb Takale, Nivrutti Gaikwad, pool manager Rajendra Sambhoos, filter operator Nisar Khan, lifeguards Raju Shinde and Sameer Karnik (for alleged offence u/s 304 Part II Cluse r/w 34 of IPC); Commissioner of Police, Additional Commissioner S M Mushrif, Deputy Commissioner Ajit Patil and Police Inspector Vikram Pawar.

While arguing before the court, Chavan’s counsels Anthony Rannavre and Vanita Chavan had alleged that the police officials were “trying to screen and protect, and are intentionally omitting and avoiding to apprehend and arrest the offenders in the case”.

They also argued that the issue was related to the safety of swimmers at PMC-owned swimming pools. While claiming that at least 5,000 swimmers were using PMC’s swimming pools everyday, they called for stringent action against “any negligence and apathy shown towards swimmers safety.”