Encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma and two constables were arrested by the Versova police on Thursday in connection with an alleged fake encounter case, officials said.
The arrest comes in the wake of probes made by a Special Investigation Team appointed by the Bombay high court into the alleged encounter of gangster Lakhan Bhaiya in 2006 near Nana-Nani Park in suburban Versova, they said.
Lakhan brother advocate Gupta had filed a petition in the high court alleging that the victim had been shot dead in cold blood by a police team headed by Sharma.
Following the petition, the court had ordered the probe by the SIT team headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police M M Prasanna.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Friday admitted the arrest of an encounter specialist in an alleged fake encounter case and the reported presence of policemen at a party organised by gangsters have left a blot on the state police force. However, the government acted swiftly in such incidents, the chief minister .contended.
"Such incidents have left a blot on image of the police force. The government has taken action whenever they (police) have been found to be at fault," he told reporters in Mumbai.
Chavan was responding to queries on the arrest of encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma in a 2006 fake encounter case besides the suspension of five policemen, including senior officials, who were reportedly seen dancing at a party allegedly thrown by Chhota Rajan gang members on Christmas eve at Chembur Gymkhana.
"We have given full freedom to police department and if anything goes wrong, we will certainly take action," Chavan asserted.
Sharma, along with two police constables, was arrested here last night for the alleged fake encounter of gangster Ram Narayan alias Lakhan Bhaiya on November 11, 2006 in suburban Versova.
Last week, the government had suspended five police personnel, including an IPS officer, for allegedly attending a party thrown by Rajan gangmen. PTI
