Nagpur: In the Regional Transport Office (RTO) firing case, S R Padwal, District Judge and Additional Sessions Judge in Nagpur, rejected the pre-arrest bail application of Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) Geeta Shejwal on Tuesday. The court also instructed the police to interrogate MVI Sanket Gaikwad only after issuing notices to him.
The bail application was submitted by RTO officials following Nagpur police registering a case under Sections 307 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code last week. Gaikwad initially reported that on May 5, 2022, his service revolver fell while on duty due to a rat encounter at 6.30 am. The gun discharged, and the bullet passed through his left calf, lodging in his right calf. Gaikwad received treatment at a private hospital, and the incident was reported to the Bajaj Nagar police station.
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The prosecution informed the court that witness statements did not align with the technical evidence obtained during the investigation. It was revealed that the bullet was intentionally fired which contradicted the initial claim of accidental discharge, and the pistol had a double safety mechanism. An unidentified person, with the intention of killing Gaikwad, took his service revolver, aimed at him, and fired a shot.
The prosecution also submitted a report from a ballistic expert. The defence counsel argued that a detailed investigation had already been conducted, and the case was closed. They questioned the credibility of the expert opinion and stated that it was not a substantial piece of proof but merely a corroborative statement. The police case, according to the defence, was based on assumptions and presumptions.
After hearing both sides, the Judge pronounced the judgment and said that the RTO officials portrayed something different from what had actually occurred. Therefore, granting pre-arrest bail would not be appropriate. The court also rejected the bail application for MVI Shejwal. Regarding MVI Gaikwad, the police were directed to serve him a notice at least 48 hours before interrogation.
Senior Adv Anil Mardikar and Adv Sameer Sonwane represented the accused while APP Bondre appeared for the State.
Dy RTO Chavan, wife questioned by police:
In a related development, Crime Branch officials questioned Deputy RTO Gadchiroli Vijay Chavan and his wife Jyoti Chavan, who played a role in admitting the injured MVI Gaikwad to the hospital. Chavan, among those questioned, reportedly stated that he admitted Gaikwad to the hospital after receiving a call from MVI Shejwal. The police are suspecting that Dy RTO Chavan played a crucial role in destroying evidence in the firing case. However, Chavan denied the allegation before the police.
