Special Correspondent
Kej: Social activist Anjali Damania has made a serious allegation against District and Additional Sessions Judge Sudhir Bhajipale, claiming that he was seen celebrating Holi with Rajesh Patil, the suspended police sub-inspector in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case, and Prashant Mahajan, the police inspector sent on compulsory leave due to the same case.
Damania posted photos of the celebration on her social media account on X, urging authorities to verify their authenticity. She stated, “Investigate these photos and confirm their legitimacy. As per the information I received, Rajesh Patil, suspended due to the Santosh Deshmukh murder case, and Prashant Mahajan, who was sent on compulsory leave, were seen celebrating Holi. But with whom? They were playing with colors alongside Judge Sudhir Bhajipale, who is presiding over the murder trial.”
Damania further questioned the ethics of the situation, saying, “If a judge is playing Holi with officers accused of protecting the culprits while the case is ongoing, it is highly inappropriate.”
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has appointed senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as the public prosecutor in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case. The next hearing is scheduled for March 26 in the Kej District and Additional Sessions Court under Judge Bhajipale.
Earlier, on February 28, the CID and SIT filed a charge sheet in the District and Additional Sessions Court against several accused in the murder case, including Valmik Baburao Karad, a close associate of Dhananjay Munde, and Vishnu Mahadev Chate, former NCP Kej Taluka president from the Ajit Pawar faction. Others named in the charge sheet include notorious gang leader Dnyaneshwar alias Sudarshan Chandra Bhan Ghule, Pratik Bhimrao Ghule, Sudhir Dnyanoba Chate, Mahesh Sakharam Kedar, Jayram Manik Chate, and Krishna Shyamrao Andhale, who is currently absconding.
