Dismissing all charges against 49-year-old encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, the Mumbai special court on Friday convicted 21 others, including senior inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi, in the alleged fake encounter of case of Ram Narayan Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiya, a suspected aide of gangster Chhota Rajan. Seventeen out of the 21 accused were convicted for murder.
Special Judge V.D. Jadhwar, while passing the verdict, said that Sharma was not guilty of the offence.
The list includes six police officers, seven constables and eight civilians. “I am happy with the verdict as the 21 accused have been convicted, but disappointed as the kingpin of the fake encounter hasn’t been punished,” said Lakhan bhaiya’s brother and advocate Ramprasad Gupta to this newspaper.
Special public prosecutor Vidya Kasle said that the sentences are likely to be announced on Monday. “The court’s final order will tell us on what grounds was Sharma acquitted,” she said. Lakhan was killed in what was allegedly a fake encounter on November 11, 2006 in suburban Versova.
The victim’s brother and advocate Ramprasad Gupta said that they plan to move the Bombay high court against the verdict.
“I am disappointed with the verdict and will move the Bombay high court,” said advocate Gupta.
As per the prosecution, on November 11, 2006, a police team had picked up Lakhan from Vashi on suspicion that he was a Chhota Rajan gang member, along with one Anil Bheda. Lakhan was then killed in an alleged fake encounter on November 11, 2006 in suburban Versova.
It was also alleged that Bheda was initially detained at D.N. Nagar police station in Versova and later shifted to Kolhapur. He was subsequently brought back to Mumbai and detained for about a month.