HC rejects pre-arrest bail plea of man who ‘plotted’ to kill Congress leader

According to the FIR, Nanche wanted a ticket for the upcoming BMC elections, but he assumed that the Congress leader would use his clout as the in-charge of Mumbai Congress to deny him the ticket

Mumbai The Bombay high court (HC) recently rejected the anticipatory bail application of Nilesh Nanche, who was booked by Tilak Nagar Police Station based on a First Information report (FIR) registered by former Congress MLA Chandrakant Handore. Handore lodged the complaint because Nanche allegedly threatened and conspired to kill him.

On January 9, the Congress leader lodged a complaint against Nanche in Tilak Nagar police station after he was informed by Sandeep Gore that in the last week of December, he was contacted by Nanche (Getty Images/Purestock)

According to the FIR, Nanche wanted a ticket for the upcoming BMC elections, but he assumed that Handore would use his clout as the in-charge of Mumbai Congress to deny him the ticket, so he hatched the plan.

While hearing Nanche’s application, the single-judge bench of justice Sarang Kotwal was informed by advocate Prashant Malik that he had been falsely implicated in the case as he did not share a good rapport with Handore. Malik further submitted that the statements of the two persons who had informed Handore about the alleged conspiracy were inconsistent and Nanche was not in Mumbai on the date when he allegedly met one of the persons and gave him the contract to carry out the killing.

On January 9, Handore lodged a complaint against Nanche in Tilak Nagar police station after he was informed by Sandeep Gore that in the last week of December, he was contacted by Nanche. Gore had said that he recognised Nanche as he was the Chembur Congress slum cell president. Nanche had offered him money and a flat to kill Handore before the elections and had assured him that even if he was arrested, he (Nanche) would get him released within a year.

The FIR further states that the second person, Dhata Mishra, also told him that Nanche had arranged for a dumper to kill Handore.

Based on Handore’s complaint, the Tilak Nagar police registered an FIR against Nanche under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Additional public prosecutor A A Takalkar opposed the application and submitted the statements of Gore and Mishra and stated that the allegations made by the duo were grave and hence, custodial interrogation of Nanche was required.

After hearing the submissions, the bench observed that the allegations against Nanche were very serious and therefore, his custodial interrogation was necessary and rejected the application.