Suspended sharma denies links with underworld

Mumbai, Aug 31 (UNI) Encounter Specialist Senior Inspector Pradeep Sharma has been dismissed by the Maharashtra government for his alleged links with the underworld.

Addressing newsmen here today, Mr Sharma, however, denied having any links with members of any of the gangs and said that he would challenge the dismissal before the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT). Mr Sharma was served a notice yesterday, under section 311 of the criminal procedure code.

He claimed that action against him was taken without any proper inquiry, at the fag end of the 25-year service. The dismissal order violated service rules, according to which it was mandatory to conduct an inquiry, communicate him its outcome and then take a decision.

According to Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor, Sharma, who has over 100 encounter killings to his credit since 2005, has been removed from service for his past records.

Sharma has been accused of having links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and possessing property worth Rs five thousand crore, disproportionate to his known sources of income.

He also figured in the recently concluded monsoon session of Maharashtra legislative assembly, when leader of opposition and other members demanded an action against Sharma and other officers, who were possessing properties disproportionate to their known sources of income and were allegedly having links with the underworld.

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