Sachin Ahir says controversial test procedure will help reveal names of politicos involved in the Rs 352-cr scam
City NCP chief Sachin Ahir wants the truth in the Rs 352-crore road scam out, by hook or by crook. The former minister has demanded that the six contractors accused of cutting corners and making Mumbaikars’ commute hell with substandard repairs be subjected to the controversial narco-analysis test procedure to get the names of all the big fish involved in the scam.
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A narco-analysis test involves using sedatives, such as sodium pentothal or sodium amytal, which lower a person’s inhibitions and induce him/her to talk freely. The credibility of the test has often been questioned, yielding dissatisfactory results or giving misguided leads.
A la Telgi case
Ahir’s demand takes a leaf from the investigation procedure Abdul Karim Telgi, the main accused in the high-profile fake stamp paper case, was subjected to in 2004. The narco-analysis test had left the government red-faced after Telgi named leading Maharashtra politicians in the scam and claimed to have made payments to them. Chhagan Bhujbal, then deputy chief minister, had to quit following the revelations.
“Contractors, too, should be subjected to a narco-analysis test so that the names of all officials and politicians involved in the scam are revealed,” demanded Ahir. “Let all officials, engineers, BMC standing committee members and even names within Matoshree (the official residence of Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray) come out. The contractors will blurt the names of all those to whom they paid a cut [during a narco-analysis test].”
He said the NCP has requested the police to push for the narco-analysis test.
The BMC’s standing committee includes NCP members.
Swipe at Sena
Taking umbrage over the NCP’s indication that the rank and file within the Shiv Sena, too, was involved in the scam, Sena spokesperson Arvind Bhosale said. “Sachin Ahir should worry about himself. There should be an inquiry against him on how he amassed so much wealth in such a short period. He belongs to a party that is known for corruption and its leaders are already behind bars.”
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