Court rejects Chaturvedi's bail plea

Mumbai, Mar 22 (UNI) A local court today rejected the bail application of Rajendra Chaturvedi, a noted builder, arrested for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to eliminate his rival his rival in profession.

Additional Session Court Judge S P Davare said investigations in the case are yet to be completed.

The name of the applicant figured in the statement of arrested persons and Anticipatory Bail application of Udaynath Maharaj, who was also wanted in the case for questioning. His plea was also rejected by session court yesterday, he added.

Defence advocate Adik Shirodkar yesterday argued that there is no substantial evidence against his client. His client's name did not figure in first FIR (First Information Report) registered by police and what was the necessity to file second FIR in the same case.

Advocate G J Bhanusali, representing rival builder Rashmikant Shah, had told the court that arrested people had admitted that they were hired by Chaturvedi through Maharaj to kill Mr Shah. More than Rs nine lakh cash has been recovered from the arrested persons and investigations is yet to be completed.

On the last occasion, Judge Davare had rejected the bail application of Vijay Wadkar and Karim Peer Mohammed Qureshi on the grounds that the investigation is incomplete, charges levelled against the duo are of serious nature and eyewitness statement is yet to be recorded.

Chaturvedi was arrested on charges of conspiracy (120b), 302 r/w 115 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to eliminate rival builder Rashmikant Shah of Vijay Group to gain control of a Rs 500 Redevelopment project of Abhyudaya Nagar Colony in south-central Mumbai.

Prosecution case is that Chaturvedi had allegedly hired four contract killers through Baba Udaynath Pratapsingh Chauhan, a spiritual leader, to kill Mr Shah. While they were on their way to commit an offence, Juhu police nabbed them.

UNI