Cops ’inching closer’ in Dey case again

Crime Branch trying to ensure case stays with them as PILs seeking the probe's transfer to the CBI come up for hearing today

Cops 'inching closer' in Dey case again

Crime Branch trying to ensure case stays with them as PILs seeking the probe's transfer to the CBI come up for hearing today

HOURS before today's deadline for filing an investigation report in the J Dey murder case before the High Court, the Crime Branch was leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the probe stayed with it and did not go to the CBI.

Several PILs demanding the case's transfer to the central investigating agency will come up for hearing in the High Court today.

A banner put up by Nana Chudasama at Marine Drive pays homage and protests the killing of MiD DAY crime reporter J Dey. Nine days after he was shot dead in broad daylight at Powai, cops are still trying to search for breakthroughs in the case

After admitting on various occasions that it was far from cracking the case, the city police yesterday said it had made "substantial progress" and was "inching closer" to a breakthrough.

Police have also accessed the personal e-mail address of MiD DAY's late Editor (Investigation) and verified his phone records, which has helped them get "something positive", according to ACP (Crime) Deven Bharti.

"We have made substantial progress, are more focused now and are inching closer to cracking the case.
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We have also got some details following the interrogation of oil mafia kingpin Mohammed Ali, which we are in the process of verifying," said Bharti.

Ali, who was arrested in a murder case, is currently lodged in Arthur Road Jail.

Police sources said that the investigation report, which they will hand over to the Advocate General, will have minute details of the probe.
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The statements of the nearly 40 people questioned in the case, including that of ACP Anil Mahabole, will also from part of the report.

"How many were questioned, what came out during interrogations, where the police teams have gone as part of the probe and how they were working round-the-clock to crack the case all of these will go in the report," said an officer.

"We have also reviewed the probe ourselves and will brief the Advocate General, who will apprise the court," Bharti said.

Now emerging
>> Hours before his murder, the journalist had gone to a courier firm's office to send visa and passport-related documents to the Philippine Embassy in Delhi. He was supposed to go on a junket.

>> Documents seized from the veteran crime reporter's residence indicate that he was also assisting somebody on a film script.