THE HUNTERS BECOME THE HUNTED
On June 18, Pradeep Sharma, encounter specialist-turned-politician, was produced in a special court by officers of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This was in connection with the murder of a businessman, Mansukh Hiran, a prime witness in the ‘Bombgate’ case, where a vehicle with explosives inside was found abandoned near Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani’s residence on February 25.
The NIA was seeking Sharma’s custody, but the 59-year-old former police officer, who has weathered many a storm in his controversial career, put up a spirited defence. His lawyer, Sudeep Pasbola, was present in the courtroom but Sharma Likes (People approach me for help. A photo with me gets them more ‘likes’ on social media),” he told the court in chaste Marathi while trying to suggest that co-accused Santosh Shelar (who has allegedly named Sharma as a conspirator in the Hiran murder case) was trying to divert attention by using his name because he was “a celebrity”. Shelar was allegedly present in the red Tavera car in which Hiran was killed on March 4. A close confidant of Sharma, Shelar has been in regular touch for the past 12 years.
