Police yet to identify people behind painting event, Covid rule violators

Nagpur: Even after two days, Ganeshpeth police are yet to identify people who organized canvas painting programme at Gandhisagar Lake and those who violated Covid Appropriate Behaviours (CAB) during the event.
TOI had on Sunday reported that mayor Dayashankar Tiwari was firm on holding the event though police had rejected permission. On Monday, TOI had reported that though Tiwari and NMC staffers conducted the event, police did not stop them.Also, Covid protocols were not followed during the event.
Commissioner of police Amitesh Kumar told TOI that offence has been registered against unidentified persons and investigation is going on. “The accused are being identified with the help of videos and CCTV footages. The case will be taken to its legal and logical conclusion,” he said.
Kumar said that people who organized the event without permission in violation of Covid rules will be booked.
A day ago, Ganeshpeth police had registered an offence under section 188, 269 of IPC and 135 of Mumbai Police Act.
Tiwari had claimed he organized the event. Even, NMC’s press release had made it clear that it was Tiwari’s initiative. The mayor inaugurated the event in presence of BJP city president Pravin Datke, Central Nagpur MLA Vikas Kumbhare, corporators etc.
NMC sports officer had submitted an application with Ganeshpeth police station seeking permission. A day before the event, municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B had distanced himself from the event saying it was not NMC’s programme as the work order for it could not be issued to a private agency.
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Inquiry panel to meet police for probe into all NMC depts
Anjaya.Anparthi
Nagpur: Inquiry committee headed by ruling party leader Avinash Thakre will approach the police department demanding probe into all departments of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in bogus contracts scam.
The committee held its second meeting on Monday. “NMC lodged complaint with police about only the bogus contracts related to health (medical) department. NMC did not disclose similar fraud in other departments. Therefore, we decided to approach the police and directed civic chief to lodge another complaint with police,” Thakre said.
NMC deputy commissioner Nirbhay Jain joined the committee on Monday. The committee directed Jain to ensure implementation of its orders and revert back in the next meeting.
The committee also directed Jain to submit whatever documents are available in the case and submit report of the committee headed by additional municipal commissioner Deepak Kumar Meena.
While discussing the scam, corporators including BJP city president Pravin Datke had alleged Meena-led committee was illegal. Still, the inquiry committee has asked for report of Meena-led committee.
Meena is likely to submit the report with municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B on Wednesday. The committee had done investigation into bills issued between April 1, 2020, and December 13, 2021.