CD adds new twist to ACB probe into builder-police nexus
The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) probe into an alleged case of builder-police nexus has apparently received a shot in the arm with the surfacing of a CD that is said to contain a video recording of an estate agent, now under arrest, and his accomplice using the name of a senior police inspector from crime branch to demand money from a builder.
The builder, Krishnamilan Shukla, submitted the CD with his complaint to the ACB. The CD contains a video recording of the estate agent, Chandresh Chamanlal Shah (50), and his accomplice, Raju, who is absconding. Both are seen trying to impress upon Shukla their “high connections” in the police.
They mention being close to crime branch senior police inspector Anil Mahabole and ask Shukla to pay them in return for settling a cheating case that has been registered against him by a rival builder.
“Yes, the video recording is part of the investigation and we are looking for Raju. We want him in the case,” said ACP (ACB Mumbai) Pradya Sarvade.
In the CD, Raju, who the police believe could be an informer, claims before Shukla that he has been attached with the “department” for a very long time and that he can take care of the case.
Last week, ACB officials arrested Shah from Hotel Ramdev in Sion while accepting Rs 1.5 lakh from Shukla. Investigations revealed that Shukla, who had lodged a complaint with the ACB, was paying the money to him for settling a cheating case registered against him by a rival builder. The case is being investigated by the crime branch unit 1.
The ACB is now looking for Raju who has gone underground. Also, the ACB has already recorded statements of Mahabole and his deputy, assistant police inspector Rajendra Nikam, in connection with the case.
In the 17.06 minute-long CD, now with Newsline, Raju is seen explaining to Shukla the ways in which he could settle the matter. He asks him first to give the rival builder, Vinod Alwani, the money he has demanded. “Give a cheque first then we will sort it out and have a joint meeting which would also involve Mahabole.”
Towards the latter half of the conversation- recorded with a hidden camera a week before Shah’s arrest- when Shah and Raju realise that Shukla is reluctant to give them money, Shah assures Shukla that “Raju and Mahabole will finish him (Vinod)”. Later still, Raju says, “We will favour that person who will give us the (money).”
According to Mahabole, since Raju is a common name, he would not know which Raju is being referred to. “He could be a police informant. As far as Raju making a mention of my name, anyone can use anyone’s name. I don’t know Shukla and Shah is an accused in our case and I have questioned him earlier,” the senior police inspector said.
Shukla is an accused in a cheating case registered with the crime branch by Alwani last year. He alleges that Shukla refused to return Rs 30 lakh which he had given to him in connection with a building development project under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme at Antop Hill in the Wadala area.