SC orders police protection for prime accused in the sensational daylight murder of Navi Mumbai-based builder Sunil Loharia, so that he can give himself up in court
Jawahar Chelaram Bijlani alias Suresh Bijlani, prime accused in the sensational murder case of builder Sunil Kumar Loharia will surrender under police protection on Monday in the Bombay High Court.
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On July 18, the Supreme Court directed the Navi Mumbai police to provide necessary police protection to Bijlani, while he is travelling for surrendering in court and if necessary, also give him security in jail as Bijlani’s life is in danger.
On Saturday, Ramesh Tripathi, Bijlani’s lawyer met Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ashok Sharma. Showing him the Supreme Court order, Tripathi demanded six policemen for protecting Bijlani.
“Sharma assured me that he will obey the apex court order and will provide necessary police security to Bijlani,” said Tripathi.
Surprisingly, on May 17, the Indore court in Madhya Pradesh had granted interim relief to Bijlani. On May 13, the a bench of the Supreme Court rejected his bail when Loharia’s son, Sunny filed a petition. Since then, Bijlani had been absconding.
On February 16, 2013, Loharia was shot dead outside his sector 28, Vashi office. Police have arrested the nine accused in the matter so far. They include former encounter specialist Emmanuel Samuel Amolik, Venkatesh Shettiyar, Wajid Qureshi, Sumeet Bachchewar, Bhupesh Gupta, Francis Chawri, Altaf Aftab Khan and Mohammed Nasir Ansari alias Bhaijan.
Others including Bijlani, his brother Mahesh Bijlani, architect Anurag Garg are absconding. Following the High Court’s order, police have started to attach property of Garg.
Loharia’s son has announced a cash reward of R11 lakh for anyone who can provide information on the whereabouts of the accused.