Chintan’s lawyer wants Juhu apartment sealed

Chintan is one of the accused in the murder case of Hema and her lawyer, Haresh Bhambani

Chintan Upadhyay’s advocate filed an application on Monday to seal the Juhu apartment and studio, jointly owned by the artist and his late wife, artist Hema Upadhyay, apprehending that false evidence may be planted against him.

Chintan is one of the accused in the murder case of Hema and her lawyer, Haresh Bhambani.

Advocate Amarendra Mishra, representing Chintan, filed the application at the Borivli metropolitan magistrate court. “We have filed the application to seal two premises – a jointly-owned apartment and a studio. We are apprehensive about false evidence being planted to frame Chintan,” he said. The court is likely to hear the application on Wednesday.

The Juhu apartment is accessible to Hema’s family, alleged Chintan’s friends. The police have, however, not found any concrete evidence against Chintan but told the court he has been arrested based on circumstantial evidence.

Chintan and the other accused - Shivkumar Rajbhar, Vijay, Pradeep and a fifth accused alleged to be juvenile – were produced before the metropolitan court via videoconference. The magistrate court further extended the judicial custody of the five accused till February 8.

Hema and Bhambani were strangled at a Charkop warehouse on December 11. Their bodies were wrapped in cardboard boxes and dumped in a Kandivli sewer, which were found a day later.

The key accused in the case, Vidhyadhar Rajbhar, is still absconding. Police sources said he may be hiding in southern part of country. Hema’s family has announced a reward of Rs1 lakh for information on Vidhyadhar.