Trial against Gawli in murder case nearing end
Mumbai: The trial against gangster-turned-
politician Arun Gawli and 13 others in the murder of Shiv Sena
Corporator Kamlakar Jamsandikar is nearing end with the court
recording the statement of all but one accused.
"The court has recorded the statements of all the
accused barring one," said Public Prosecutor Kalpana Chavan.
Under the provisions of Section 313 of Criminal
Procedure Code (CrPC) every accused is given a chance to reply
to the allegations levelled against him/her during the trial.
The statement recording process is followed by judgement.
Jamsandikar was murdered in March 2008 at his
residence in suburban Ghatkopar in what police said was a case
of contract killing. Gawli, a former MLA, was arrested on May
21, 2008 and has been in custody since then.
The Sessions Court on October 7, 2010 framed charges
against Gawli and other accused under Maharashtra Control of
Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and IPC Sections 302 (murder), 34
(common intention) and 120B (criminal conspiracy). Gawli and
others had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the police, the contract to kill
Jamsandikar was allegedly given by accused Sahebrao Bhintade
and Bala Surve, who were the Sena leader's rivals in
construction business as well as in the local politics.
As per the chargesheet, a sum of Rs 30 lakh was paid
to the Gawli gang for the job.