Slain Navi Mumbai builder Sunil Loharia's son today filed an application in Bombay High Court opposing the bail plea of rival builder and prime accused Suresh Bijlani, alleging that he and his family face a threat to their lives from Bijlani.
Justice M L Tahiliyani was to pass order on Bijlani's bail plea today, but in view of Sandeep Loharia's application, the hearing was adjourned to December 23. The judge asked the Mumbai police's crime branch to file an affidavit by December 21.
Himanshu Kode, Sandeep's lawyer, contended that his client was informed by a senior police officer of Navi Mumbai police that "police have got strong inputs that Bijlani is trying to eliminate him (Sandeep)".
Public prosecutor Poornima Kantharia said that Mumbai police had learnt about the threat to Sandeep's life and alerted the Navi Mumbai police.
This came to light when Mumbai crime branch arrested a man called Rupesh Singh for possession of illegal arms. Singh allegedly told police that Emmanuel Amolik, a former encounter specialist and an accused in Loharia case, had asked him to keep a watch on Sandeep, according to the application.
"Navi Mumbai police have taken precautions for Sandeep's security," said advocate Kode. Besides, there was also a threat to the lives of other members of the family as well as the eye-witnesses, he said.
Loharia was shot dead on February 16, 2013 outside his office. Those arrested in the case include Amolik and Bijlani. Business rivalry is suspected to have led to the daylight murder, which was captured by CCTV cameras.
