CBI officials say they have records showing Nitesh Rane called police and hospitals where Chintu Shaikh was admitted after he allegedly shot at him
CBI officials say they have records showing Nitesh Rane called police and hospitals where Chintu Shaikh was admitted after he allegedly shot at him
After the Bombay High Court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the alleged involvement of State Industries Minister Narayan Rane's son Nitesh in a shootout last year, the investigating agency is closing in on him. It has collected telephonic records allegedly linking Nitesh to the firing.
Nitesh, who heads NGO Swabhiman Sanghatana, has been accused of firing at Shamim alias Chintu Shaikh, a former aide, in his office in Khar last September. The records show that after the incident, Nitesh made several calls to JJ and Hiranandani hospitals - where Shaikh was admitted after being allegedly shot - and to the police. 
Nitesh Rane
"The records show that he had called up the hospitals, and also lend credence to Shaikh's allegation that Nitesh may have influenced the cops," a senior official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the new evidence spelt trouble for the accused. Cops said they also have a CD of the video Shaikh made, showing his injuries after the incident.
Last Thursday, the CBI had registered an FIR against Nitesh and six of his associates and bodyguards. The FIR was filed after Shaikh moved the Bombay High Court last month, accusing the Khar police of not taking any action against the accused. The investigating body is now making an attempt to frame murder charges on the basis of the complaint.
The Special Branch of the CBI is probing the case. Officials said they are looking into every detail and would be able to comment only after they gather more evidence, efforts for which are on.
"I cannot comment on the issue as it is under investigation. We are still gathering proof, as the matter was taken up six months after the incident occurred," said a senior CBI officer from Belapur.
The Other Side
When MiD DAY contacted Nitesh Rane, he said that the allegations against him are a result of political scheming and added that this would be evident in due time. "I am confident that the truth will prevail and we all will know that this is a political conspiracy," Nitesh said.
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