Mumbai: Dismissed police inspector Sunil Mane, accused in the Antilia bomb scare-businessman Mansukh Hiran murder case, has said he has realized mistakes he committed unknowingly and sought to turn prosecution witness and testify against his co-accused.
He has cited his 26-years of police service where he was recognised as ‘outstanding’, to be given pardon by the court on turning approver. Mane was arrested in mid-August 2021 and has since been in custody.
Earlier bail plea rejected
Among his co-accused are dismissed policeman Sachin Vaze and former ‘encounter specialist’ Pradeep Sharma. The NIA had alleged that he had made a phone call to Hiren to call him to Ghodbunder Road, before the businessman went missing and was later found dead. It also alleged his presence during the murder.
Mane’s attempt at securing bail by claiming that the charge sheet was not filed within stipulated time, was rejected in October last year. He had also sought a discharge from terror-related charges, which the special court had rejected in November last year.In his handwritten application sent from Taloja jail, he said that in his period of service in the police of 26 years, he was assessed as ‘outstanding’ and ‘very good’ and till his arrest, was commended with 280 awards by the Central Government, State Government and higher authorities in the police.
I have realised my mistakes: Mane
“That after deeply thinking during my incarceration period, I have realised my mistakes. Being a police officer, it was my duty to protect the life of citizens… but unfortunately and unknowingly I have committed some mistakes,” he said. He added that “to repent those mistakes and give justice to the victim and his family”, he has decided to give full disclosure of the facts and circumstances of the case.
He said further that he has made the plea voluntarily and his advocate may not be permitted to withdraw it without his consent. “Therefore, it is humbly prayed that the outstanding record of my service in the police department may please be considered and a chance to repent my mistakes by tendering pardon” be given.
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