Apart from seeking a reply for the 'lackadaisical' attitude of the officers, the court also asked them to be present for the next hearing on March 9
Kale's body was recovered from behind the Gaikwad residence
The Bombay High Court had passed an order on January 19, 2019, asking the superintendent of police and an inspector-rank officer of Jat police station in Sangli to file an affidavit explaining why they had not attended to a complaint filed over the suspicious death of a villager in June 2017.
At the hearing that took place on Friday, the court once again sought a reply because no affidavit had been filed, and also raised concern over the fact that the case papers were missing.
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Now, the SP and investigating officer have been asked to pay Rs 5,000 each to the petitioner (the farmer's widow) for the agony she has faced and was also asked to be present for the next hearing on March 9.
Dattatray Kale
The deceased, Dattatray Kale, 35, a Sordi village resident, was working at the farm of the Gaikwad family (names mentioned in the petition filed by Kale's widow Nanda), when he died mysteriously.
Nanda had filed a criminal writ petition in the HC on October 31, 2017 seeking compensation and action against the erring police officers for allegedly ignoring her plea to probe her husband's death.
Advocate Rajeshwar Panchal, who appeared for the petitioner, said, "The petitioner is a widow and has two children and the deceased's elderly parents to take care of. Justice N R Borkar and Justice B P Dharmadhikari were surprised to find that the brief paper book pertaining to the case was missing and even the public prosecutor did not have it. I then informed the court of the case details based on the last order."
Panchal added, "Usually, this raises doubts about the involvement of those accused in the case and also the police authorities, who might have influenced the court employees to misplace the papers pertaining to the case."
Last order
He added, "The court had in its last order clearly asked the SP and IO to file their affidavit, explaining the reason for not attending to such a serious complaint. However, no affidavit has been filed till date. A serious crime like murder not being investigated and the deceased's family being deprived of post-mortem reports clearly reveal the lackadaisical attitude of the police."
The case
Speaking about the case, Panchal said, "On June 21, 2017, Kale left for work around 5 pm and did not return. Around 6 am the following day, Kale's family found his body behind the Gaikwad residence. They became suspicious of his death as his mobile phone, slippers and underwear were missing." "The local Jat police shifted the body to the rural hospital without conducting a spot panchnama," he added.
No FIR or autopsy report
On June 23, 2017, Nanda with her relatives visited Jat police station and asked for a copy of the FIR and autopsy report but it was not given to them. When they visited the police station again on July 3, 2017, the cops informed them that the report was awaited. They then visited the rural hospital and met Dr Igonda Kumbhar, who informed them that the autopsy report had already been submitted.
Panchal added, "The family then approached the SP, but as he was absent, they narrated their ordeal to the additional SP, who phoned the local police officer concerned and assured them that action would be taken."
The other side
While Special Inspector General of Police, Suhash Warke of Kolhapur, is currently on leave; SP Sohail Sharma was not available for comment.
When contacted, senior PI of Jat police station, R R Shelke said, "I have recently taken charge of the police station and am not aware of the matter. Moreover, I have not received any letter or communication from the HC. I will enquire about it and revert."
2017
Year Kale died under mysterious circumstances
Rs 5,000
Amount each of the cops have been asked to pay
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