Sheena probe team not removed: New police chief

Mumbai, Sep 8: Mumbai Police's new chief Javed Ahmed on Tuesday denied that the team investigating the Sheena Bora murder case has been shunted out.

"The joint police commissioner has categorically said that the team (probing the Sheena Bora killing) has not been removed. All aspects of the case, financial or otherwise shall be thoroughly investigated," Ahmed said, responding to a volley of questions on the issue.

However, he added that which branch or team (of the police department) would investigate any case is an internal matter of the police department.

"The issue before us is that the case should be handled properly and evidences collected must be such that it becomes a complete case when it goes for trial," Ahmed said.

Ahmed took over from Maria - who has been promoted as DGP-Home Guard, in a surprise move barely 22 days before the scheduled expiry of the latter's term as city police chief on September 30.

The new police commissioner's reaction came shortly after taking over the post to a barrage of media questions whether the investigating team - handpicked for the Sheena Bora murder case - has been removed along with the former police chief Rakesh Maria.

He pointed out that probe into any case is "a collective team work", and the accused in the case - Indrani Mukherjea and her former driver Shyamvar Rai - are now in judicial custody.

"As for the ongoing investigations, we shall monitor it in the right and professional way. We shall also inform the media the factual and correct developments in the case," Ahmed said.

On his immediate agenda as the new police chief, he said priority would be for security and ensuring law and order, safety of women and children, service delivery both inside and outside the police stations to common citizens, and easy and open access to the men and officers of the police force to address peoples' grievances.

He also assured that the police would aim to ensure safe and peaceful celebrations of the 10-day long Ganeshotsav starting on September 17 and the Bakri Eid festival.

IANS