Nagpur: Taking the serious note of a media report charging the NMC Contractors Association President Vijay Naidu rigging the tenders, a written complaint in this regard was sent to Municipal Commissioner, Chief Minister and Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch in March 2016. The Municipal Commissioner and Chief Minister did not initiate any action but the EOW forwarded a letter to Sadar Police Station and directed it to carry out investigation into the matter since the NMC comes under its jurisdiction.
Subsequent to the development, Sadar cops recorded a written statement of complainant Lalsingh Thakur on June 15, 2016. However, the interesting part of the formality was that the the investigating officer recorded the statement of Thakur in a very few words or to say precisely adopted a ‘short cut.’ Thakur’s signature was taken on this ‘short cut’ statement only. Thakur, in his statement, had mentioned the need to record statements of past presidents of NMC Contractors Association as well as four office-bearers of present executive committee. But the investigating officer reportedly ‘advised’ Thakur in a pacifying move to slam the doors of NMC administration for ‘fruitful’ action instead of ‘useless’ statement before the police. If the NMC administration turns a blind eye, he can approach the courts, the cop allegedly told Thakur.
The investigating officer, after discussion with another office named Dhurve, directed Thakur to appear before the ACP or DCP on June 22.
According to sources, the Sadar cops had not recorded the statements of any of the past presidents of NMC Contractors’ Association nor the present office-bearers till June 21 evening as demanded by Thakur. But still the investigating officer phoned Thakur between 8 and 9 pm on June 21 and directed him to appear before the ACP or DCP on Wednesday (June 22). When Thakur asked the cops whether statements of any of the past presidents of NMC Contractors’ Association or the present office-bearers were recorded, he said that he did not get time to do so. In turn, Thakur retorted by saying what is the use of him appearing before the ACP or DCP unless the statements of others were not recorded. Finally, the cop agreed to record statements.
The attitude of cops shows that they want to spare the corrupt and that is why giving no importance to Thakur’s statement.
