A Mumbai court has approved the release on bail of former NCP MLA Ramesh Kadam, who was implicated in a scandal concerning the Sahityaratna Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Development Corporation (SLASDC). Ramesh Kadam, who had been in custody since 2015, was released from prison on Sunday following the court’s decision.
In the wake of the scandal’s exposure, numerous cases were filed against Ramesh Kadam. Earlier this year in March, the Bombay High Court granted him bail in one of the significant cases lodged against him at the Dahisar police station in Mumbai.
However, the current bail granted to Ramesh Kadam pertains to a case filed by the Chief Medical Officer of Arthur Road Prison, where Kadam had been held. According to the officer, an incident occurred on February 24, 2016, during a meeting with prison officials. At around 1 pm, Ramesh Kadam forcefully entered the Arthur Road Jail Superintendent’s office without permission. He expressed his frustration over the absence of the police escort party, which was supposed to accompany him for a hospital visit.
Allegedly, Ramesh Kadam verbally abused the medical officer, using offensive language and making threats such as “tu mala baher bhet, tujhi vat laun takta” (Meet me outside, I will ruin you). He was also said to have issued a death threat.
A case was registered at the NM Joshi Marg Police Station under Sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, along with some sections of the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010.
Ramesh Kadam’s defense counsel, Advocate Prakash Salsingikar, argued that the case was motivated by personal enmity between Kadam and the officer and the then Jail Superintendent. He asserted that the complaint against Kadam was false, with interested parties or police officials as witnesses. Salsingikar maintained that the Investigating Officer had not examined any independent witnesses.
Salsingikar also noted that the police had already filed a charge-sheet against Kadam, who had never been arrested in this particular case.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Sumesh Punjwani strongly opposed the bail application, presenting substantial evidence against Ramesh Kadam. He characterized Kadam as a “habitual offender” and the main accused in the misappropriation of SLASDC funds.
Punjwani argued that Kadam’s influential status could lead to evidence tampering if he were released on bail.
After considering arguments from both sides, Special Judge Rahul Rokde acknowledged Ramesh Kadam’s central role in the SLASDC funds misappropriation case, noting his previous bail in that matter. Judge Rokde highlighted that Kadam had not been arrested during the investigation of the present offense. Taking into account the circumstances, nature of the offense, and potential penalties, Judge Rokde found this a suitable case for granting Ramesh Kadam regular bail.
