Ex-MLA’s son held in assault case 48 hours after court rap

After six months of looking the other way, the state CID on Thursday arrested Omi Kalani, son of former MLA Pappu Kalani, within 48 hours of the Bombay high court rapping the agency, HT reports.

After six months of looking the other way, the state CID on Thursday arrested Omi Kalani, son of former MLA Pappu Kalani, within 48 hours of the Bombay high court rapping the agency.

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The development led to the division bench of justices VM Kanade and PD Kode observing: “Unless some pressure is put, no action is taken.”

Additional public prosecutor Sahaji Shinde informed the court that Omi Kalani, along with his aides Manoj Lassi and Rahul Gurbani, were arrested on Thursday morning and produced for remand, which was granted for three days.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Ulhasnagar resident Sunil Sukhramani, who was threatened and assaulted by Kalani and other accused as they wanted the petitioner’s aunt to withdraw her candidature during the civic elections last year.

According to the petition, Sukhramani’s aunt Netu was contesting against Pappu Kalani’s wife Jyoti. It also states that Neetu is the wife of Mahesh, a corporator belonging to the BJP, due to which there was hostility between the two families.

The petitioner’s lawyer Ganesh Gole had argued that his client was beaten up while the police stood as silent spectators. He had pointed out that even after lodging of two FIRs and rejection of anticipatory bail, as well as the application for quashing of the case, the accused persons were roaming free.

Gole on Thursday said that the police should have themselves moved for cancellation of bail given to other accused in the matter earlier. Meanwhile, the court was informed that the petitioner has been granted police protection, as directed.

The court had on Tuesday warned the agency that strictures will be passed if it is found that they have not taken any action in the case. “Ordinary citizens cannot survive in this state” the court had said.
(Inputs by Kiran Sonawane)