Rival officers maligning me: ACP Mahabole

ACP Anil Mahabole made it clear he had nothing to do with the murder of journalist J Dey, as had been alleged, and said that some rival police officers were behind the smear campaign about his alleged links with the underworld.

ACP Anil Mahabole made it clear he had nothing to do with the murder of journalist J Dey, as had been alleged, and said that some rival police officers were behind the smear campaign about his alleged links with the underworld.

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“It is the easiest thing to make allegations against a person. I have definitely been hurt and dismayed by this smear campaign against me, linking me to the murder,” Mahabole told HT. “On the contrary,” Mahabole said, “I had good relations with Dey whom I respected as a journalist. But, for the last 2-3 years I had neither met nor spoke to him.”

Clarifying allegations that he had links with the underworld, Mahabole said, “I have enjoyed a spotless record in my 32 years of service in the force. I have been serving honestly and diligently throughout my career. Had there been any such links, do you think it would have gone unnoticed by the seniors and would I have been allowed to continue in service?” he asked. “It seems some officers have been feeding the media with misinformation.”

On his unprecedented attachment to the Local Arms department from the present posting at Azad Maidan following J Dey’s murder, Mahabole said, “I am not aware of it (the attachment). Presently, I am on leave. I will be reporting to work on Friday (at Azad Maidan) and only then will I be in a position to know about my posting.”