Khairnar’s new cause

The accused, underworld don Bhai Thakur and his brother Hitendra, were acquitted by TADA judge S K Shah. According to the Dubey family, the government had appealed against the acquittal as a “mere formality”. Says Omprakash Dubey, "They have appointed Deepak Nargolkar, the juniormost government pleader, to argue our case in the Supreme Court. And remaining true to his brief, Nargolkar has not spoken a single word during the hearing on August 11." Dubey said he has complained to Bombay High Court’s Chief Justice, M B Shah, and the Chief Justice of India, J S Verma, on August 14 and 16 respectively about Nargolkar’s appointment and his `silence’ in court. However, there has been no action in this regard. “There has been no inquiry against Nargolkar. Nor have they initiated contempt proceedings against me. I wish they do the latter and I get a chance to voice my grievances," states Dubey. He also requested the State Law Minister, Leeladhar Dake, to appoint a senior advocate. However, no action has been taken.

Suresh Dubey was murdered at the Nalasopara station on October 9, 1989, and Bhai Thakur and his associates were the accused in the case. A subsequent trial in the TADA court, Pune, acquitted them on May 16, 1997. The acquittal was challenged by the state government and the Dubeys as well, recently. "Despite repeated requests, copies of the judgement were made available only after two months," complains Omprakash Dubey of TADA judge S K Shah’s judgement of May 1997.

With “lack of response from every authority”, the Dubeys approached Khairnar to publicise the matter. Khairnar today said, “While the state government was over eager to book the other notorious don Arun Gawli, they are shielding Bhai Thakur.”