Shinde changes mind over photos

KOLHAPUR, Nov 4: Kiran Shinde, the approver in the kidnapping and murder of children masterminded by Anjanabai Gavit, today confused the additional sessions court here while identifying the photograph of a child murdered by them. He identified the eight photographs shown to him by government pleader Ujwal Nikam during his re-examination as that of the same child, Guddu, whom the accused kidnapped and later murdered.

Immediately after the identification of the photographs, Shinde made another submission before the court for another look at the photographs. He said since they had murdered several children it was difficult for him identify the child following a brief glimpse of the photograph. He said the photographs were that of a dead body hence, several changes were likely. Defence advocate Manik Mulik strongly objected to the demand. He said Shinde had carefully watched the photographs for two minutes when it was shown to him. Mulik said Shinde wanted to change the name of child, hence he was demanding a second look.

The court allowed Shinde a second look of the photos after which Shinde informed the court that the photos belonged to Pankaj, who was kidnapped by them from the Vittal temple premises at Vadala, Mumbai and later bashed to death.

Shinde further added that it was true he had filed two applications from Kolhapur Kalamba jail to the district court about life threats being made to him in the jail premises by an undertrial Prashant Shinde. However, he withdrew them through a second application following a threat from Prashant Shinde8217;s accomplice.