24 firearms including 3 AK 47 riffles recovered from slain gangster Nayeem: RTI
The response from the Inspector General of police has revealed that cops also recovered Rs 2.16 crore cash, 1.944 KG gold, 2.482 kg of silver, 21 four-wheelers, 26 vehicles, and 602 cell phones.
By Coreena Suares Published on 14 Dec 2020 7:54 AM GMT
Hyderabad: More than 24 weapons including 3 AK-47 rifles, one sten gun, 9 pistols, 7 tamanchas, 3 revolvers, 1 bore gun and 1 bulletproof jacket were recovered from the gangster Nayeem who was killed in 2016.
Four years after he was gunned down, Telangana police have lifted the veil of secrecy over the weapons recovered from the slain gangster.
In an RTI reply to Forum for Good Governance (FGG), police said they have recovered 3 AK-47 rifles, one sten gun, 9 pistols, 7 tamanchas, 3 revolvers, 1 bore gun, and 1 bulletproof jacket from slain gangster after he was killed at Shadnagar town on August 8, 2016.
During the search, forces recovered firearms, cash, vehicles and other incriminating documents.
FGG secretary and retired IFS official, M Padmanabha Reddy questioned how a gangster can possess 24 weapons when a common man is not able to get a licence for an ordinary two-barrel gun.
"A lot of police inquiries are made before the licence is issued. No licence is given for AK-47 and sten guns. There is a need for detailed inquiry as to how licences for 24 guns were given. How he possessed AK-47 rifles? He should be probed for terror links as well," he said.
The response from the Inspector General of police has revealed that cops also recovered Rs 2.16 crore cash, 1.944 KG gold, 2.482 kg of silver, 21 four-wheelers, 26 vehicles, and 602 cell phones.
"602 cell phones were recovered from his house. Call data of these phones will give a clear picture of with whom (especially police and politicians) he had contacts. In this case, it was not done. Even in small cases, call data of the accused cell phone is tracked," said M Padmanabha Reddy.
Police have also recovered 752 land documents. "When a common man goes to a registrar's office for land registration, a lot of records including Aadhar, Pan Number, link documents are demanded. Further, photos and fingerprints are taken. It begs a question that how can Nayeem register such a huge chunk of land. It can only happen with the active cooperation and connivance of revenue and registration officials," said M Padmanabha Reddy.
Around 130 diaries were also recovered from Nayeem's possession. "Nayeem had a habit of maintaining a diary and recording all the activities he carried out. The content in the diaries is not taken as evidence. These are just deposited in the court," said M Padmanabha Reddy.
Earlier, An RTI response has revealed that 25 cops serving in the Telangana Police who were found to be 'associated' with deceased gangster Mohammed Nayeemuddin, go scot-free as no criminal cases have been registered against them.
Nayeem's death opened up a can of worms including his association with police officials and local politicians. The Telangana police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to unearth the nexus.
During the course, the SIT led by senior IPS officer Y. Nagi Reddy, informed through an RTI that departmental action has been initiated against 25 cops holding different ranks for their 'association' with deceased gangster Mohammed Nayeemuddin.
They include two additional superintendents of police, M. Srinivasa Rao and M. Chandrashekar, seven deputy superintendents of police — Ch Srinivas, M. Srinivasa Rao, T. Sai Manohar, G. Prakash Rao, D. Venkata Narsaiah, J. Amerender Reddy, and Thirupathanna, 14 police inspectors — Masthan, B. Rajgopal, G. Venkataiah, Srinivasa Naidu, B. Kishen, S. Srinivasa Rao, K. Venkat Reddy, Md. Majid, Venkata Surya Prakash, Ravikiran Reddy, Balwanthaiah, Narender Goud, E. Ravinder, and K.R. Dinesh Anand, and two head constables, B. Balaiah and Mohd Sadath Miya.
SIT said , the list was sent to Director-General-of-police's office for further direction.
However, a year later in another RTI, SIT informed that no case has been booked against the 25 citing, 'No police officer is accused in any case'. However 8 politicians are involved in 139 cases, while few faced arrest.
Speaking to NewsMeter a senior police officer said, "Majority of cases booked against Nayeem were in connection with land grabbing, where the role of the 25 cops could not be established. Few policemen were found in pictures with Nayeem while others met him over unofficial meetings. Based on evidences department action was initiated. Few were transferred while rest suspended. No cop is cited as accused in any case".
The eight politicians who have been named in the Nayeem case and arrested were S Sudhakar, ZPTC, Bhongiri, P. Srinivas, ex-councillor, Bhongiri, Abdul Nazar, councillor, Bhongiri town (all moved from TD to TRS), S. Nagaraju, MPP Valigonda of the TRS, T. Venkatesh, MPP, Bhongiri (moved from Congress to TRS), G. Pingala Reddy, ex-sarpanch, Bibi nagar, Bolli Eshwariah of the TRS, president of Veldanda mandal, V. Sanjeeva, ex-TRS MPTC from Veldanda, and TD member R Krishnaiah MLA, LB Nagar.
Questioning the delay in investigation is retired IFS officer Mr Padmanabha Reddy-Secretary-Forum for good governance. The activist has written to the Governor, Telangana seeking intervention. "About 240 cases were registered post the encounter. However, charge-sheet has been filed in 173 cases over 4 years. Though 25 police officers were said to be associated with Nayeem, no action has been initiated".
According to the RTI response:
1. No of cases where charge-sheet are filled: 173
2. No of case withdrawn/deleted from the preview of Special Investigating team- 8
3. No of cases where the courts passed final orders: Nil
4. No of cases in which action initiated against police officials and politicians: No cop is cited as accused in any case
5. Eight politicians are involved in 139 cases
