CID probes six Palghar cops in informer’s suicide case

Kumud Jha holds the pictures of her deceased sons. Image/Hanif Patel

The State Crime Investigation Department (CID) has launched an enquiry against six police officers of the Palghar district, who have been accused of harassing two men into killing themselves. It has begun the investigation on the complaint of their mother, Kumud Vinaykant Jha, 51.

She alleged that eight fake FIRs were registered against her son Vikas Jha after he refused to be a police informer. Harassed for long, he died by suicide in November 2017. Her other son Amit Jha took on the task of getting justice for his brother, but, he too was harassed. He killed himself in January 2018.

Disappointed at the lack of investigation into her sons' deaths, Kumud wrote a letter to the Maharashtra State Commission For Women in December last year, seeking action against six police officers. The commission instructed the CID to initiate action, following which the agency recorded Kumud's statement on January 28.

Officers facing accusations

The officers allegedly involved are former Palghar superintendent of police (SP) Manjunath Singe, who is currently the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) of Mumbai Zone-9, Sub Inspector Jayant Bajvade of Vasai division, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Roshan Rajtilak of Palghar district, DSP Sachin Pandkar and Inspector Amit Patil of Manikpur police station, and Sub Inspector Shital Kumar Doijad of Virar police station.

Vikas Jha and Amit Jha

Kumud alleged that these officers "misused police power and were responsible for her sons' deaths. She lives alone at Amarnath Apartments in Jivdani Road, Virar East. Her daughter Sweta Mishra has been helping her financially since her husband Vinaykant Jha died in 2019.

"I lost both my sons, then my husband Vinaykant. Before I die, I need to see the six police officers involved in my sons' deaths punished. They should get the strictest punishment. I will fight for them till my last breath," she told mid-day. "Before his death on October 26, 2019, from hypertension, my husband would visit the police station daily for updates. Many times the cops approached us to settle the case, but we refused and demanded justice."

Kumud said they had bought the house on loan and that she has to pay back Rs 11 lakh. "I haven't paid any EMIs since my husband's death, and now the amount has increased to Rs 11 lakh. I am searching for a job in the city to repay the loan. The six officers have destroyed my family."

Involvement of cops

"Police Inspector Yunus Shaikh of Virar police station had filed many false cases against Vikas. Amit had filed a complaint against Shaikh, following which he started harassing Vikas. Tired of being harassed, Vikas set himself on fire at Virar police station on November 10, 2017. My husband and Amit met Singe and Rajtilak seeking justice for Vikas, but the cops insulted them. They forced them to not take the names of Shaikh and corporator Munaf Baloch. After continued harassment, Amit consumed rat poison and died at Arnala in January 2018," Kumud said. Baloch had allegedly forced the police to file fake FIRs against Vikas.

Jayant Bajvade was the investigation officer in Vikas's suicide case, and had allegedly threatened the family against taking Shaikh's name. He had also told the senior inspector that nobody was responsible for Vikas's death.

"My husband and Amit met Pandkar who also threatened them to not take Shaikh's name in the FIR and insulted both of them. Later, Pandkar instructed police to register the case only against Baloch and not name Shaikh. Patil had registered false cases against Vikas at Manikpur police station, while Doijad booked him for molestation and other charges at Virar police station, said Kumud.

In Vikas's case, Manikpur police had filed an abetment to suicide case and arrested one Mithilesh Jha, her husband Amarnath Jha and Shaikh. Baloch got anticipatory bail. Arnala Sagri police registered the case in connection with Amit's suicide.

Speaking with mid-day, Rajtilak said, "I remember the case and it was a sensitive matter. We registered the FIR after investigation was completed. Currently, the state CID is probing this case and I don't want to comment on this." Singe said, "The state CID is now investigating this case, and I was transferred to Mumbai three years back. We investigated the case properly and action was also taken against the accused. I don't know about any allegations against me and other officers."

CID speak

Assistant Police Commissioner Amol More of State CID of Kokan Bhavan said, "We have recorded Kumud's statement. The case is too sensitive and she has lost both her sons, and also her husband. She needs help to get justice. She alleged that six cops were involved behind her sons' suicide case. We have started an inquiry against them, and examine their alleged involvement and take action accordingly. We are also trying to file the chargesheet in both the suicide cases."

2017
Year Vikas Jha died by suicide

2018
Year Amit Jha killed himself