Pune CP hails Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima case probe

The Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima case has turned out to be a "model investigation" for others, Pune police Commissioner K Venkatesham said on Friday.

"We had evidence then, we have evidence now... it is a model investigation for others," Venkatesham said hours after the Supreme Court allowed the police to continue investigations against the five civil rights defenders and human rights activists involved in the case.

"The investigation continued for five months, we were putting pieces together so that the investigation makes sense... We were confident from day one," said Venkatesham, an officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police.

This case, he said, has shown us how "certain people" in urban areas were helping the cause of the outlawed CPI (Maoist). He said that the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima probe is on a "different plane," and the investigation focused on how "these people" were providing "money and strategy" to a violent movement.

He, however, said that more investigation was necessary before the police arrest the suspects. He said, "We would act appropriately... some more investigation is needed."

Venkatesham said that the team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Shivaji Pawar deserves appreciation. "They are a motivated lot...They never lost confidence," he added.