One of the corporators, Najeeb Mulla transferred Rs 1.5 crore to another politician NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad (above). One of the corporators, Najeeb Mulla transferred Rs 1.5 crore to another politician NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad (above).

Highlighting the “enormous magnitude”, “gravity” and “seriousness” of allegations against four politicians, the Bombay High Court Tuesday rejected their applications seeking anticipatory bail. All four have been accused of abetting the suicide of Thane builder Suraj Parmar.

While recording his reasons separately, Justice A S Gadkari rejected the plea of Mulla, Hanumant Jagdale (both NCP) and Sudhakar Chavan (independent).

Arguing against their applications, the prosecution had on Monday said one of the corporators, Najeeb Mulla transferred Rs 1.5 crore to another politician NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad.

Special public prosecutor Raja Thakare was contesting the arguments put forth by defense of all four corporators when he divulged about the politicians’ monetary transactions. Investigators, according to him, are probing the monetary angle that could prove vital for the case.

Parmar had shot himself at his under-construction building on October 7, leaving behind a 13-page suicide note blaming red tape and harassment by corporators, politicians and civic officials. Parmar had named a few people in his note but scored off the names. Forensic analyses of his note revealed names of the four corporators.

Saying custodial interrogation of all four was “absolutely necessary”, Thakare informed Justice A S Gadkari that preliminary inquiry had shown transactions running into crores of rupees. The prosecutor said that Mulla had 29 crore in his account of which 1.5 crore was transferred to Awhad.

Vikrant, on the other hand, Thakare said had declared an income of around Rs 25 lakh, but investigation had revealed that he had deposited Rs 81 lakh in his bank account. “His wife’s account shows deposit of crores fo rupees,” said the prosecutor.

The point out alleged constant nagging at the behest of the corporators was crucial on the prosecution’s part as far the charge of abetment is concerned. Besides, it was also revealed that Parmar’s son received threat phonecalls. “We are on the right track of investigation. We are pin pointing the person with whom all four were connected,” said Thakare.

The defense of the corporators, on the contrary,earlier argued the note left by him cannot be relied upon to prove the charge. It was argued that from what Parmar had written is was obvious that he, perhaps, took the extreme step due to depression.

Senior counsel Shirish Gupte, appearing for two of the four corporators had, argued, “If I have a direct allegation against a person but later remove the names then the police cannot charge me for abetment.”

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