The police on Thursday launched a hunt to trace Zaheera Sheikh, the prime witness in Best Bakery case.
Zaheera was sentenced to a year's jail term by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, amidst reports suggesting that she could be hiding in adjoining Thane district.
"We have information about two-three places where Zaheera could be hiding and we have launched a hunt for her," Thane Rural police officials said.
Sources said various police units in the district have been asked to verify some addresses and check if Zaheera could be traced so that she can be brought to book.
Zaheera, who used to stay at her relative's place at Bhayander town of Thane district when the Best Bakery case was being heard by a Mumbai court, has not been sighted at the place ever since the apex court judgement came, sources said.
The sources said the possibility of Zaheera hiding in Gujarat was remote since she has already feared for her life there.
"She is probably hiding some where in Thane district. But we do not wish to even indicate the probable place as that may alert her," they said.
Zaheera, who had turned hostile in the Bakery case and was found to be a "self-condemned liar" by a high-powered committee appointed by the apex court, was sentenced to one year simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 for contempt of court.
{{/usCountry}}Zaheera, who had turned hostile in the Bakery case and was found to be a "self-condemned liar" by a high-powered committee appointed by the apex court, was sentenced to one year simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 for contempt of court.
{{/usCountry}}In case of default of payment of fine, she will undergo further imprisonment of one year.
The Income Tax department was also directed to attach her assets and bank accounts for three months.