Dey chargesheet to be delayed

Hinting at a new twist in the probe into the murder of investigative journalist J Dey,the Mumbai Police Crime Branch has decided to seek further extension for filing a chargesheet against the 12 men arrested for the killing.

Police sources said the Crime Branch would seek an extension as it had to investigate the role of a journalist working for a mainstream city broadsheet. These highly confidential reasons will be submitted to the special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act Court on Wednesday in a sealed envelope.

The Crime Branch was to file a chargesheet on November 2,but sources said that after a meeting between top Crime Branch officers and a senior lawyer on Monday,the police

were advised to take advantage of the additional time available under MCOCA provisions.

Crime Branch will file an application through public prosecutor Dilip Shah on Wednesday,seeking an extension. It can ask for a maximum of 45 days for filing. Notices will be given to the defence and the court will set a date for arguments, a source said.