Just a month after the ‘shootout’ at the south Indian food chain in Central Delhi, a tiff between the Delhi Police and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has surfaced over the issue putting police and the Delhi Government at loggerheads once again.
In a fresh development, the SDM has again written to the Delhi Police to share the investigation details and the post-mortem but was denied citing that he is authorised to proceed only for an inquest.
Source said SDM of Karol Bagh area, Chandrashekhar, who is conducting a parallel probe into the alleged shootout at Rajender Nagar that had taken place on May 16 last, had asked the Delhi Police to share the post-mortem report and investigation details with him. It may be recalled that one Manoj Vashist, wanted for several alleged cases of cheating, was killed. The Delhi Police had refused to share any such details with the SDM. Police officials, however, have not given any written note or denial to Chandrshekhar as of now but they may send it soon, sources said on Thursday.
Two separate probes are being conducted by a Special Investigating Team (SIT) led by Joint Commissioner of Police (central) SK Gautam and Delhi Police Vigilance unit headed by Special Commissioner of Police Amulya Patnaik. The SIT has recorded the statements of the eyewitnesses and staged recreation of the incident to ascertain the direction of the bullets. Meanwhile, the Vigilance officials have also recorded the statements of the all nine police officers including inspector Dharmendra Kumar who led team of Special Cell who had gone to nab Vashisht on the fateful day.
On May 27, The Pioneer had reported that the preliminary post-mortem report on Vashisht had revealed that he died from a bullet shot. Sources said the final report has also suggested that Vashisht was shot from close range and the bullet pierced his head.
According to a senior police officer, they were waiting for the ballistic report which will confirm the direction of the bullets shot during the incident. Vashisht himself was carrying a pistol but he was gunned down during scuffle with Dharmedra and another policeman inside the restaurant. Police also opened fire at Vashshit in the melee.
It may be recalled that Vashisht, an accused in several cheating cases, was gunned down on May 16 following a physical struggle with the members of Special Cell officials at Sagar Ratna restaurant in Central Delhi area. Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi had cracked the whip by transferring the nine members, including inspector Dharmendra after the allegations of ‘staged shootout’ and ‘extortion’ was levelled by the family of Vashisht.