Bapat's anticipatory bail plea hearing adjourned to April 12

Mumbai, Apr 5 (UNI) Special ACB court today adjourned till April 12, the hearing in an anticipatory bail application of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Shrikant Bapat.

Special ACB Judge P N Deshmukh adjourned the hearing to the next date after the prosecution sought time to submit reply and file affidavit.

The court's earlier directive--not to arrest Mr Bapat till the matter is heard--will also continue to be in effect.

Mr Bapat had filed an application seeking anticipatory bail, apprehending arrest in the multi-crore Maharashtra Public Service Commission examination scam of 2003, before this court on March 27.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sudhakar Poojari, the investigating officer in the scam case, had called Mr Bapat for questioning to the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) office. However, instead of visiting the ACB office, he moved the court for bail. Mr Bapat, who was a member of Commission between 1994 and 1999, is alleged to have played a role in the recruitment of the three Lohar brothers as Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs).

UNI PVN KD TM RK2208