Chintan’s friends contest police’s claims in court

One of them, Nitesh Desai, has alleged that the police did not record his statement despite repeated requests

Two friends of Chintan Upadhyay have submitted affidavits in court, seeking to have their statements put on record. One of them, Nitesh Desai, has alleged that the police did not record his statement despite repeated requests. Desai, in his affidavit, stated that despite the police’s claims, Vidhyadhar was not in constant touch with Chintan for three months prior to the murders. According to Desai, Chintan spoke to Vidhyadhar for the first time in four years on August 6, 2015.

Chintan Upadhyay with wife Hema (HT)

“From July to September 2015, I was working on mass production of a trophy when I came into contact with Vidhyadhar. He then stayed in touch with me. He was in debt and debtors often visited his Laljipada residence,” Desai said.

The second friend, Amir Rizvi, whose statement the police did record, said he feared that officials would omit his statement from the charge sheet. In his affidavit, Rizvi stated, “Whenever Hema had a fight with Chintan, she would stay at a rented flat in Gorai. Hema was attached to the said flat as she found it auspicious. On several occasions, Chintan would go to Gorai and bring Hema back.”

“In 2010 (during their divorce case), several meetings came to be held, including at our friend Ravi Rai’s residence. It was decided that Ravi should speak with Hema’s brother Deepak Prasad. After discussions, it was decided that Rs 60 lakh would be paid to Hema.”

Rizvi’s affidavit also mentioned that Hema had maintained good relations with her friends but that her temperament would change while dealing with subordinates. “Whoever tried to mediate between Chintan and Hema, she would stop communicating with that person,” he stated.