Ulhasnagar firing incident: Cops ensure safe court appearance for BJP MLA Gaikwad

BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad. Pic/Navneet Barhate

Thane police took extensive measures, including heavy police presence and the imposition of section 144, around Ulhasnagar court premises to ensure the safe production of accused BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and other accused.

The Thane Crime Branch, investigating the matter, has apprehended five suspects, including MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, but Vaibhav Gaikwad, son of Ganpat Gaikwad, remains at large. Special teams have been formed to trace him.

Gaikwad and the other accused appeared before Ulhasnagar court on Wednesday morning regarding the firing incident targeting Eknath Shinde faction city chief Mahesh Gaikwad at Hill Line police station. The court remanded the accused to judicial custody for another 14 days, sending them to Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai.

Initially, the court had granted police custody of MLA Ganpat Gaikwad until February 14. Interestingly, the accused were presented in court early morning under heavy police vigilance, with a curfew imposed in the vicinity as a precautionary measure.

To avoid potential disturbances, Thane police issued a circular imposing section 144 within a 200-metre radius of Ulhasnagar court. Barricades and heavy police presence were deployed, anticipating possible protests from Ganpat Gaikwad's supporters, who had previously protested during court proceedings.

A police officer said, "Precautionary measures were taken as chances of the followers of Mahesh Gaikwad, the victim, could create a ruckus or may take revenge so the accused Ganpat was brought in presence of tight security taking all precautionary measures."

Advocate Umar Kazi, representing MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, said, "Along with Ganpat Gaikwad, around five accused were produced in court today at 9 am. The police demanded further custody of the accused for investigation. However, the court denied any further custody and ordered judicial custody for the accused. The police sought custody for investigative purposes, but we clarified to the police that the investigation and evidence collected are sufficient as of now. Therefore, no further custody is required in the matter."

All accused sent to Taloja jail

In a related development, amidst confusion among Ganpat Gaikwad's supporters regarding his detention location, Thane police ensured his safe transfer to Taloja Central Jail in Navi Mumbai, enhancing security measures for his safety.