Maharashtra Police, Anil Ambani Group worker's family in dispute over cause of death

Mumbai, Apr.29 (ANI): The Maharashtra Police and family of a dead Anil Ambani Group technician traded charges with each other on Wednesday over the way the latter had died.

Bharat Borge was found dead on the railway track last evening between Vile Parle and Andheri suburban stations. He is suspected to have been run over by a local train near Vile Parle.

While Borge's family maintained that he had not committed suicide as was mentioned earlier in the day, Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner Rakesh Maria and Additional DGP (Railway Police) K P Raghuvanshi said Borge's death was a case of suicide.

Maria also said the motorman and the guard of a fast local saw the victim cross the track even as the train was approaching.

Maharashtra's Home Minister Jayant Patil said the preliminary death report confirmed Borge's death as a pure accident. It suggested that Borge had died of multiple fractures and injuries after being hit by a speeding local train.

Borge was a key witness in Ambani chopper sabotage case. He was among the first persons to spot the open fuel cap of Ambani's Bell-412 helicopter last Thursday and on inspection found pebbles and gravel inside, one day before Ambani was scheduled to go to Navi Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Government also said there was no evidence to suggest "corporate rivalry between the Reliance Group led by Mukhesh Ambani and the Anil Ambani Group in connection with the incident.

The Anil Ambani Group has alleged that business rivals may be behind an "attempt to murder" the industrialist by trying to sabotage his helicopter.

According to GRP sources, the letter recovered from Borge's person said some "Reliance" people came to see him and questioned him but he did not say anything and that he also felt they will do something to him. It was not clear which Reliance group he was referring to.

Borge's letter also said he had done nothing wrong and that the investigations into the alleged sabotage was going on the right track and that the Crime Branch will do a fair job.

The Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police has summoned Reliance ADAG officials for questioning in the Anil Ambani chopper sabotage case.

ADAG officials are said to have been in touch with Bharat Borge prior to his death. AIRWORKS employees are among six others being questioned in the case. (ANI)