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Journalism of Courage
THANE, JAN 15: The sudden transfer of PI Bharat Gaikwad of Murbad police who was handling investigations into the telephone racket8217; which provided direct International Subscriber Dialling access circumventing the Kalyan Telecom Department to users as far as Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Bhiwandi and Wada has raised quite a few eyebrows.
The Murbad police had arrested 13 persons from a gang which operated tow telephone kiosks in Murbad and Saralgaon on January 8 and 11 respectively. Investigations had revealed that the calls, most of which were made to the Persian Gulf countries, had entailed a loss of Rs 21.3 crore!
After this was widely reported in the local press the Murbad Police then retracted and said that what they busted was only a telephone racket. In fact PI Bharat Gaikwad himself stuck to this version while briefing the press on January 13.
The meeting of Murbad MLA Gotiram Pawar NCP with state Home minister Chhagan Bhujbal yesterday is being linked to the transfer, orders for which were passed yesterday itself. While Thane rural SP was away in Palghar attending to arrangements for Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh8217;s programme tomorrow the Deputy Superintendent of Police headquarters L A Nadaf told The Indian Express, quot;since the orders were passed by the SP it is not appropriate for me to say anything.quot;
While Gaikwad has been posted to Kashi Mira police station the new incumbent in his place V D Rane has come from the headquarters. quot;Even if I8217;m unhappy about the transfer how can I help it?quot; Gaikwad asked when contacted requesting, quot;Please don8217;t draw me into any controversy. If seniors say it is a routine transfer lets keep it at that.quot;
Meanwhile senior police officers from Thane rural police have pointed out how an investigation officer is generally not transferred till the investigations into a case is completed.
Ex-MLA and BJP leader Digambar Vishe has reacted sharply to the developments. quot;This a clear instance of how people are willing to compromise national safety for the sake of protecting their political cronies,quot; he said demanding that all the facts in the case be made public. quot;Are we going to wait till some major disaster like Kargil or Kandahar happens again?quot; he asked.
Meanwhile, rumours are rife that the Pakistan backed gang was planning quot;something sinisterquot; during the Mhasa 10 km away from here festival and fair coming up from January 21-25. The largest cattle fair in Western India held here ever year attracts lakhs from all over Maharashtra and Gujarat.
