Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Suspended Vaijapur police sub-inspector Eknath Nagargoje, arrested in connection with the death of Ellora-based zilla parishad teacher Suresh Borse, was granted bail on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after his arrest.
The orders to suspend PSI and the constable were passed by SP Prakash Jadhav on Tuesday. Nagargoje was produced before a local court on Wednesday after he was arrested late Tuesday night. The police sought his PCR but an MCR was granted to him. The lawyers representing him immediately moved a bail application, which was allowed by the court. He was subsequently released on bail.
The arrest marks the first action against a serving police officer in the case that has sparked widespread outrage across the district. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (rural) additional superintendent of police Prashant Swami said investigators had recorded statements of 23 people, including Borse's immediate family members, neighbours and other witnesses.
"Statements of 23 persons have been recorded so far. PSI Nagargoje's role has been established in the case and therefore he was arrested last night," Swami said. Nagargoje and Vaijapur police constable Mahesh Banage were suspended earlier this week following a departmental inquiry initiated by district police chief Prakash Jadhav.
The case relates to the death of Suresh Rupchand Borse (54), a teacher at the ZP Central Primary School in Ellora and a district office-bearer of a teachers' association. Borse died after an alleged assault during a late-night operation carried out by a police team and civilians who had accompanied them to Ellora in search of a fugitive accused.
Police had earlier arrested five accused in the case and detained a minor. All five accused were granted bail within 24 hours of their arrests, while the juvenile was produced before the child welfare committee and sent to a juvenile home.
Swami said the case was initially registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence and Section 131 relating to assault or use of criminal force. "As the investigation progressed, additional offences under Sections 127(2), 190 and 198 of the BNS have also been invoked," he said.
Police have not disclosed the specific findings that led to Nagargoje's arrest. However, officials said evidence collected during the investigation and witness statements pointed to his involvement in the events leading to Borse's death. The death had triggered largescale protests in Ellora, where thousands of residents, teachers and activists staged a road blockade demanding action against the police personnel and civilians allegedly involved in the incident.
Investigators said further inquiry is underway and additional statements are being recorded as police continue to examine the circumstances that led to Borse's death.
