Thirty years after a man allegedly died in police custody, a startling video of a retired DCP of Mumbai Police bragging about covering up the death, has landed the former police officer in trouble.
Three decades since the incident. Retired DCP Bhimrao Sonawane was caught confessing to the incident. The confession was recorded on CCTV and the footage was handed over to Mumbai Police by Sonawane’s relative and businessman Rajendra Thakkar, in whose office he made the claims.
Sonawane and Thakkar have a long-pending dispute over monetary matters.
After receiving the complaint, Mumbai Police initiated an inquiry into the matter. DCP Abhinash Kumar of Zone 3 Mumbai Police said, “Based on the complaint filed we have begun investigations. However, this case was investigated at the time this happened. If fresh complaint is made we will do an inquiry. We need proper credible evidence in the matter only then can further investigations be done. This video won’t be enough.”
The video has been handed over to the Worli police station under whose jurisdiction the incident took place in 1990. Meanwhile, Thakkar filed a writ petition against Sonawane in Bombay High Court seeking an FIR against the officer. Sonawane has, however, said that all allegations made against him are false. The video was shot in 2018 inside Thakkar’s office.
In the video, Sonawane is seen talking about what happened at the Worli police station. He said that the deceased, Rattu Gosavi was brought to the police station. He had over 27 cases in his name. Sonawane said, “We wanted Gosavi for a long time. Once he was brought to the police station we physically assaulted him, including on his private parts. Whenever I bring in an accused, I beat them like dogs. However, later I learnt that he died. I checked his eyes and he was dead. I informed some other officer.”
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