Ashwini Bidre Murder: Panvel sessions court rejects accused's plea to attend wife's post-death rituals

Ashwini Gore-Bidre | File Pic

The Panvel sessions court on Wednesday denied permission to Abhay Kurunkdar, prime accused in the murder case of Assistant Police Inspector Ashwini Gore-Bidre to attend his wife's post-death rituals on Tuesday. His wife passed away on April 15 in Kolhapur due to COVID-19 infection.

Bidre was allegedly murdered by Senior Police Inspector Abhay Kurundkar on April 11, 2016, at his residence in Bhayander

The sessions court judge directed jail officials to allow him to participate in the rituals through video calls. "Kurundkar's movement outside and his return may bring infection to jail increasing trouble for other inmates," said the judge.

Kurundkar had filed an application before the Panvel Sessions court seeking special permission to attend his wife's funeral. He had sought permission for one day to attend religious rituals that are followed after the funeral. Judge Madhuri Anand heard the application and rejected it.

As the accused's wife died of COVID-19, there might be chances of other family members contracting the infection. "If Kurundkar travels to his home and comes back, he or cops accompanying him might get infected too, increasing more infection in jail," the judge observed.

The judge asked jail officials to allow him to attend the funeral and other rituals through video call.