Mumbai, Jan 20: Former Police Commissioner Ronnie Mendonca today deposed before a special court that during his tenure as police chief the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had forwarded a complaint to the crime branch against 'encounter specialists ' Pradeep Sharma and Daya Nayak. He told designated judge A P Bhangale, hearing a case of alleged nexus of Bollywood with underworld that the complainant had alleged that police officers were taking money.

Mendonca was examined as a witness in a complaint filed by scribe Ketan Tirodkar alleging nexus of sub-inspector Daya Nayak with the underworld.

Mendonca told Tirodkar's lawyer Amin Solkar that he did not remember the name of the complainant. However, when he was confronted with a press clipping, he said the name mentioned therein was that of alleged gangster Tariq Nabi who had complained about Sharma, Nayak and sub-inspector Shivaji Thakre.

To a question, he said: "I am not aware whether the three cops had obtained anticipatory bail from Bombay High Court." The initial inquiry was conducted by crime branch and then the matter was probed by state CID, he informed.

He said normally such complaints about alleged extortion are forwarded to NHRC by the crime branch and he used to go through them before they were sent. Some reports may have pertained to Daya Nayak, he said.

To a question, he said: "I remember that a case was registered but I am not certain whether it was registered in Pune or Mumbai against Pradeep Sharma, Daya Nayak and Shivaji Thakre.

Bureau Report