Saji Mohan case: Prosecution objects constable’s application to become approver
Rajesh Kataria, a constable from Haryana police was arrested for possession of heroin with former IPS and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director of Chandigrah Saji Mohan
The prosecution on Thursday objected to the application of Rajesh Kataria, a constable from Haryana police arrested for possession of heroin with former IPS and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director of Chandigrah Saji Mohan, to turn approver.
Kataria, who was apprehended on January 17, 2009, along with Vicky Oberoi from Oshiwara with 1.85kg of heroin, had moved an application before the designated Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, to turn an approver in the case.
In an application filed by him on February 25, Kataria sought pardon pleading that he wants to tell the truth about the racket to the court.
Replying to Kataria’s application, special public prosecutor Avadhut Chimalkar filed a reply stating there is no need for granting pardon to any other accused and it’s too late for him to come up with this application. The prosecution added that there are a total three accused, out of which, one has already been granted pardon after he was declared approver.
“The applicant in his application has also not revealed as to exactly what facts he desires to relate before this court. In any case as the prosecution is not interested now in having any further approver in the case hence this application may kindly be rejected,” read the prosecution’s reply.
Meanwhile, Saji Mohan’s advocate Shekhar Bhandari, too, objected to Kataria’s application stating that it’s very late for him to file this application.
After hearing both the sides, the special NDPS court has now reserved the order on Kataria’s application and also asked to expedite the trial.
According to the prosecution case, the Juhu wing of the ATS had on January 17, 2009, apprehended Vicky Oberoi and Rajesh Kumar from Oshiwara and seized 1.85kg of heroin from them.
A week later, the ATS sleuths arrested Mohan, who is at present lodged in Byculla Jail, and recovered a bag containing 12kg of heroin and another consignment of 25kg from a room at Naigaon.