Wsitle Blower Case - Dy. Engineer Hemant Kumar Sawant gets bail

Court observed strong possibility of false and vague allegations

July 24, 2010: Mumbai

Deputy Engineer of PWD Hemant Kumar Sawant gets bail from Mumbai Sessions Court. Sessions Judge ML Tahilyani observed and mentioned in his judgment, “There is a strong possibility of complainant falsely implicating the applicant.”

When contacted, Mr. Sawant said, “We helped Mr. Shinde in every manner when this happened. I personally took him to hospital for medical assistance, then to DN Nagar police station. I was with him till 10 pm, till that time there was no FIR filled against any one. Then suddenly and surprisingly my name appeared in the FIR. I am surprised with Mr. Shinde’s behavior.” When asked about his bail plea, Mr. Sawant said, “If you see the bail order, you can understand that how our system works. Court clearly mentioned about vague and false nature of complaint.”

When contacted, defense lawyer Yusuf Iqbal Yusuf said, “Session court bail out Mr. Sawant for Rs. one thousand with one solvent surety in the like amount or case deposit of Rs. one thousand in lieu of surety in the event of his arrest.”

It is alleged that on 16 July 2010, a whistle-blower and retired Karkoon (Tatya) Ashok Shinde, who had exposed corruption in the Public Works Department (PWD) of the government by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay high court was allegedly assaulted by three unidentified men in Andheri. According to DN Nagar police station, Ashok Shinde (61), was roughed up by three persons just as he was about to start his bike and leave for his home in Kandivli. DN Nagar police confirmed they received Shinde’s complaint and said they were looking into the incident. “After preliminary investigation, we will decide on a further course of action,” said a police officer.

Soon after the assault, Shinde was rushed to hospital by his friends. He was discharged after first aid. After bail, he informed that he is taking legal advice. He said, “I’ve registered my complaint with the police. They are looking into the matter.” he added.

Ashok Shinde, through an RTI, had procured information about the PWD spending nearly Rs. 24 crore in the last 4 years for various repair works, including relaying of roads, painting and polishing. Through the RTI, Shinde claimed, he had exposed several irregularities in the way government money was spent.

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Certified copy of bail order is attached for your perusal.

You may contact Mr. Hemant Sawant, Dy. Engineer, PWD on: 09699225511