Jalgaon murder probe: 'No pressure on police'

Source: PTI

June 25, 2007 22:57 IST

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil on Monday rejected charges that political pressure was exerted on the state police probing the murder of local Congress leader V G Patil in Jalgaon in 2005.

His remarks follow allegations by Rajni Patil, widow of V G Patil, against brother of UPA's Presidential nominee Pratibha Patil.

"There was no political pressure on police while it was handling the case," Patil, who also holds the home portfolio," told media persons in Mumbai.

The probe into the murder of V G Patil, who was killed on September 21, 2005,

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was transferred to the state CID. On March 23, 2006, the state authorities had requested a CBI probe into the case, the deputy chief minister said.

"On May 1, 2006, we were informed by the CBI that as the case was a local matter and did not have an inter-state angle to it, it would not be possible for CBI to probe the case," he said.

However, following a petition filed by Rajni Patil, the High Court on February 23, 2007 asked CBI to probe the case, he added.