The Bombay High Court today granted interim protection from arrest to two policemen, accused of involvement in the disappearance of a witness in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case, and asked them to approach a court in Madhya Pradesh which issued non-bailable warrants against them.
Inspector Ramesh More and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajendre Ghule had filed anticipatory bail applications before the high court here after a magistrates court in Indore issued NBWs against them on May 30 this year.
More and Ghule were accused by the CBI for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of Indore resident, Dilip Patidar, who was a witness in the Malegaon 2008 blasts case.
Justice Revati Mohite Dere granted the duo interim protection from arrest for three weeks. During the period, they will have to approach the court in Indore and seek cancellation of the NBWs issued against them.
Advocate Niranjan Mundargi, appearing for More and Ghule, informed the court that CBI had in 2014 filed closure report in the case citing absence of requisite sanction to prosecute the duo. However, the Indore court refused to accept CBIs contention and issued warrants.
CBI counsel Hiten Venegaonkar said the agency was opposing the bail pleas. The high court, however, questioned why CBI was now opposing the bail pleas when it has already filed closure report in the case.
“Why is CBI opposing now after filing closure report? The applicants (More and Ghule) are granted interim protection from arrest for three weeks by when they will have to approach the court in Indore and seek cancellation of the warrants issued against them,” Justice Dere said.
( Source – PTI )
