J DEY MURDER WITNESSES GET POLICE COVER
MUMBAI: The trial for the murder of former journalist J Dey has taken an unusual turn with the court ordering police protection for four witnesses after one of them claimed four men had turned up at his home and threatened him.
A man passing by when two men on a motorcycle shot dead Dey who was riding towards his home in Powai on June 11, 2011; a home guard who was on duty in the area, and two independent witnesses to the recording of the panchnama, who are called panch witnesses, are the four who are to be provided police protection.
The court order came after public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat moved an application under Section 19 of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) seeking protection for four witnesses.
This is not the first time witnesses have claimed they were threatened in this case in which underworld don Chhota Rajan is accused of ordering the hit on the journalist.
Two other eyewitnesses failed to appear before the court despite being summoned twice, saying they feared a threat to their lives.
The prosecution told the court the home guard had identified the shooters and their bike and therefore his deposition would prove crucial.
The court allowed the prosecution’s plea and directed the police to protect all four witnesses.
The witnesses would be brought before the court soon, the public prosecutor informed. The prosecution has so far examined 128 witnesses in the murder case.