EX-MUMBAI TOP COP QUESTIONED IN SHEENA CASE
MUMBAI: The CBI recorded the statement of the DG of police (Home Guards) Rakesh Maria, former Mumbai commissioner who investigated the Sheena Bora murder case, in connection with the case before Ganesh festivities. CBI also recorded statements of joint commissioner of police (law and order) Deven Bharti and deputy commissioner of police Satyanarayan Chaudhary.
MUMBAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday recorded the statement of former Mumbai commissioner Rakesh Maria in connection with the Sheena murder case.
The investigative agency also recorded the statements of joint commissioner of police (Law and Order) Deven Bharti and deputy commissioner of police Satyanarayan Chaudhary.
Confirming the development, CBI officials said all three officers were examined and their statements recorded.
The CBI sources said that Maria was asked if he knew media baron Peter Mukerjea and why he visited Khar police station on four occasions.
Maria categorically told CBI officials that he did not know Peter personally and had first met him on September 7 last year at Khar police station with a group of police officers including the joint commissioner of police (law and order), deputy commissioner of police and other investigators.
To a query on his visits to Khar police station, Maria said on the first two occasions he visited the police station as the Mumbai police believed that the accused was influential and would hire a battery of top lawyers. He said the force wanted to ensure an equally competent lawyer to defend the prosecution case to ensure conviction.
On the first two occasions, a meeting was held between top police officials at the police station where the name of advocate Vaibhav Baghade cropped up. Baghade too was called to the police station for his opinion on the case, said CBI sources.
On the third occasion Maria visited the police station to ensure the veracity of Shyamwar Rai’s statement, as he was to be made an approver in the case.
The fourth occasion was on September 7 last year when Maria went to the police station to question Peter personally, said CBI sources. But the next day he was transferred.