Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Development Corporation

ASDC

NCP MLA Ramesh Kadam

Asmita Foundation

NGO

4 men break into bldg, flee with docs, computers; CID says probe unhinged.In a brazen heist, some men broke into the offices of the) in Dahisar and allegedly made away with files and computer hardware that purportedly contained vital information related to the multicrore scam in whichis an accused.According to the police, on April 28, at least 4 unidentified men drove into the compound of the Kalyani Kendra building in Dahisar (East), parked their vehicle which had an ‘MLA’ sticker on its rear windshield, broke the seal on the lock and barged into building. A few minutes later, they made their way out with files and computer equipment.Sudha Wagh, who heads the- anhoused on the ground floor of Kalyani Kendra, in her statement to the police said, “On the afternoon of April 28, I heard a commotion outside. When I went to check, I saw some people breaking the lock to gain entry to the building. I tried to stop them, but they rudely told me to mind my own business. When I threatened to call the police, they brashly said they were not afraid of anybody. Even the CCTV cameras didn’t deter them.”Wagh said she then informed the local police, the State Social Justice and the Special Assistance Department of the state government.The ground plus two-storeyed structure has been unused ever since the fraud was unearthed in 2015. Apart from the NGO’s office, which is on the ground floor, no other entity is currently using the space. The Crime Investigating Department (CID), probing the scam, had sealed the entryway to the upper floors.“I visited the spot on Friday and found that several documents and computers were missing,” said Dilip Kamble, Minister of State for Social Justice and Special Assistance.The investigating agency, however, denied that any crucial files or computers were stolen. They say the theft will not dent the probe as all the pertinent documents are in their custody.The NGO’s staff have also reportedly told the police that accused MLA Ramesh Kadam’s brother was also involved in the theft, but the police are yet to confirm his involvement.“We have registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC for dacoity and mischief causing damage to public property under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. It is too early to say for sure if Kadam’s brother was involved in the crime,” said Dr Vinay Kumar Rathod, deputy commissioner of police, Zone XII.The NCP leader was arrested in August 2015 for allegedly misappropriating funds to the tune of Rs 450 crore meant for the welfare of backward classes for his party’s election campaign and personal gains. Kadam, who was the chairman of the ASDC, was booked on charges including the Prevention of Corruption Act.