Gholap case 8211; CID to submit report

The directions were given in a petition filed by a social worker, Milind Vasudeo Yawatkar, who alleged that the investigations in the Rs 4.5 crore embezzlement case where funds belonging to various corporations under the Social Welfare Department were illegally deposited in the Awami Mercantile Coop Bank Ltd, now in liquidation, is not progressing any further because of political pressure on investigating officers. Also, despite there being a prima facie case against Gholap, there has been no interrogation of the Minister, though all the other ordinary8217; accused had been arrested.

The petitioner has thus pleaded that investigations into the case be conducted under the direct supervision of the Bombay High Court and not under the State, a la the Hawala scandal that was supervised by the Supreme Court.

Advocate for the petitioner P Janardhanan argued that unless a detailed investigation is carried out by way of custodial interrogation, the real culprits behind the crime could not be revealed. Quoting various news reports, Janardhanan stated that there is an intentional lethargy on the part of the police in conducting the investigations, due to political pressure. He also quoted from the press, that a police report claiming that Gholap and his family received Rs 40 lakhs in kickbacks in transactions, had also been submitted to the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Girgaon.

At this, the Chief Justice asked for the report. Perusing through it, the bench marked out passages and asked for the case diary. Around 40 minutes were devoted to the case.

Denying any political pressure on the investigating officers, public prosecutor Rajiv Patil informed the court that the investigations were in a vital stage and the Crime Branch expected to complete it within two weeks. According to Patil, a few of the accused were yet to be traced and the amount to be recovered from them. He requested the court not to interfere with the investigations.

The Chief Justice then retorted that the State would have to justify that the investigations were at a crucial stage. 8220;What has been the progress in the case since February?8221; he asked. He then ordered the investigating officer to file a status report on the case by Monday next.

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