CDR scam: Mumbai detective Rajani Pandit released from jail

On Monday, the Thane sessions court granted bail to Pandit on a bond of Rs20,000.

After 40 days in prison, India’s first woman detective, 65-year-old Rajani Pandit, was released from Thane Central Jail on Wednesday.

Rajani Pandit (Praful Gangurde/HT Photo)

She had been arrested on February 2 by the Thane crime branch in the call data record (CDR) scam. On Monday, the Thane sessions court granted bail to Pandit on a bond of Rs20,000.

Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s name has also cropped up in connection with the scam. “I do not have any connection to anyone, I also don’t know who Nawazuddin Siddiqui is,” said Pandit, after she was released. The actor had been summoned to the police station on Friday but did not turn up. He later issued a statement on Twitter.

On January 24, four private detectives were arrested by Thane crime branch for allegedly selling call data records (CDR). They used to sell the data for Rs25,000 to Rs50,000. Makesh Pandiyan, 42; Prashant Palekar, 49; Jigar Makawana, 35; and Samresh Jha alias Pratik Mohpal, 32; were arrested from Kalwa.

During investigation Pandit’s name cropped up and she was arrested.

“We will go through the police report and then my advocates will decide the further course of action. I will soon hold a press conference,” said Pandit. “I am shocked how my name has cropped up in the case.”