Pune: Decoding Case Registered against IPS Bhagyashree Navtake In BHR Scam

Reported by Tikam Shekhawat

Pune, 29th August 2024: IPS officer Bhagyashree Navtake, currently serving as the Commandant of the SRPF unit in Chandrapur is at the centre of a legal storm after an FIR was registered against her at the Pune Bund Garden Police Station.

The case, filed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), stems from alleged procedural lapses during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Pune, between November 2020 and November 2022.

The FIR, based on an investigation by the State CID and recommended by the DGP of Maharashtra, includes charges under IPC sections 120B, 166,167, 177, 193, 201,203, 219, 220, 466 and 477.

The core of the allegations against Navtake involves “giving false information and evidence in a judicial proceeding and concealing evidence.” Two particular sections, IPC 201 and 220, raise serious concerns about her credibility as an investigating officer of BHR Scam. IPC 201 pertains to obstructing justice by destroying or concealing evidence or providing false information to protect an offender, while IPC 220 relates to wrongful confinement or trial by an authority figure acting against the law.

The case is linked to the Bhaichand Hirachand Raisoni Credit Society (BHS) scam, a financial fraud involving over ₹1,000 crore, with Sunil Jhavar as the prime accused. During the period in question, three cases related to the scam were registered at Alandi, Deccan, and Shikrapur police stations, and raids were conducted at various locations in Jalgaon. Allegations have surfaced that 2 of these cases were registered hastily, without the presence of complainants, and that Navtake exerted undue influence on officers from Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune Rural police to file these cases.

However, sources close to Navtake alleged that “the allegations in the FIR are baseless. The officers involved have already filed a writ petition, which has been admitted by the High Court. If there were any issues with FIRs filed, the authorities could have filed a B summary report in court, but this was not done. Additionally, a preliminary inquiry should have been ordered by the police as part of the process, but that too was not carried out. It is surprising that the authorities considered the complaint of the prime accused to file the case even before court orders with reference to a recent writ which is accepted by the court. Also, Can a DCP be so influential that he or she can file complaints across different commissionerates or districts and interfere with investigations? This clearly shows, How easy it is to register an offence against any investigating officer.”