The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against Bhagyashree Navtakke, a former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Pune’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW), and others for alleged procedural irregularities in three cases related to the Bhaichand Hirachand Raisoni Multi-state Co-operative Credit Society (BHR) in Jalgaon. The charges include criminal conspiracy, framing incorrect documents, and causing injury. The complaint alleges that the EOW initiated investigations into these cases without following proper procedures and without meeting the required fraud threshold of ₹3 crore.
According to the complaint filed by the Pune police, the cases were registered hastily within 24 hours without a thorough inquiry, and two of them were filed without the physical presence of the complainants at the police stations. Despite the fraud amounts being below the threshold, the EOW proceeded with the investigations. The complaint also mentions various irregularities such as selective accusation, manipulation of chargesheets, and deliberate negligence towards crucial evidence.
The CBI case, based on a complaint from Deputy Commissioner of Police Nikhil Pingale, includes charges under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, such as criminal conspiracy, disobeying the law, framing incorrect documents, furnishing false information, and causing disappearance of evidence. The cases in question revolve around alleged irregularities in the sale of BHR properties through e-auction after the society’s liquidation.
Previously, the Maharashtra police had questioned four Pune Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including Navtakke, regarding their involvement in these cases. The state’s Crime Investigation Department (CID) also conducted an investigation. In a related development, the CBI had registered a case in June based on a complaint from a businessman who claimed wrongful arrest in connection with the November 2020 cases. Former special public prosecutor Pravin Chavan was implicated in this case, and his name also appears in the latest CBI case.
The investigation is ongoing, with the CBI taking over the probe from the Pune police’s FIR at the request of the Maharashtra government. The allegations of misconduct and irregularities in the handling of the BHR cases highlight the importance of following proper procedures and upholding the law in all investigations. The CBI’s involvement signifies the seriousness of the matter and the need for a thorough examination of the facts to ensure justice is served.
