Loharia's family demands CBI probe

Sunny said he has lost faith in the top brass of Navi Mumbai police Police Commissioner AK Sharma, DCP Purushottam Karad and Senior Inspector RS Sardesai of Vashi police station and that their investigations could not be trusted. "Since some Navi Mumbai police officials are under the scanner in the case, the police could be biased in their investigations. Therefore, the case should be handed over to the CBI," Sunny said.

Hours after his father was killed on Saturday morning, Sunny wrote a letter (copy available with MiD DAY) to Home Minister RR Patil, demanding the investigations be handed over to the CBI. According to Sunny, Emmanuel Samuel Amolik, the former cop who was arrested yesterday in connection with the murder, is closely associated with Suresh Bijlani, his father's rival. "Amolik was a bodyguard for Bijlani for 10 years", said Sunny.

Sunny said that his father used to get threat calls from Bijlani, and taking the threats seriously, his father had approached Sharma's office several times seeking police protection, but Sharma refused to meet him. With the top cop paying no heed to his request, Sunny said his father wrote 35 letters and filed three petitions at Bombay High Court demanding police protection.

Sunny alleged that Sharma was acting at the behest of Bijlani, as they have close relations with each other. "In due course, I will prove Sharma and Bijlani's relations," said Sunny. The exact motive behind the murder is being established. According to the police, Amolik and Loharia had a heated argument following an accident in December last year. Kumar allegedly threatened the former policeman with a revolver. Sunny, refuted these claims, stating that it was a petty matter and is not a reason to murder someone.

The other side
"Neither Sunil Kumar nor Sunny demanded police protection. They haven't met me in months. Loharia never wrote asking for protection. Accusing me of having ties with Bijlani is baseless," said Commissioner AK Sharma. "We deny all his allegations," said DCP Purushottam Karad. Sardesai was unavailable for comment. Bijlani said, "The Kumars are alleging that I had taken away their property. If they have any documents proving their ownership they shoud show it."u00a0