Ranjit Patil: Process initiated to dismiss Abhay Kurundkar

Mumbai: Minister of State (Home) Ranjit Patil said that the dismissal procedure has been initiated against Thane police inspector Abhay Kurundkar for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of assistant police inspector Ashwini Bidre in April 2016. Mr Patil also said that the procedure to nullify the President’s award given to Mr Kurundkar would also be started by the home department. Mr Kurundkar was given the President’s award for gallantry in January 2017.

Last year, Kurundkar was suspended after his arrest. Mr Kurundkar along with his two friends are in police custody for Ms Bidre's. The police suspect that Kurundkar allegedly murdered Bidre in his flat in Bhayander, chopped off the body and dumped the severed head and limbs in a Bhayander creek on April 11, 2016. An arrested accused had allegedly told the police that he helped Kurundkar dump Bidre’s torso. 

Nationalist Congress Party's Hemant Takle has raised the issue in the council on Friday. "We have been reading and watching the news for the last two months. An inspector murdering his female colleague is really sad and this throws the light on the law and order in state. The state government must act tough in this case in order to send a strict message to the force as well as the people," demanded Mr Takle. 

In replying the motion Mr Patil said, "The missing case of Ms Bidre was registered on July 14, 2017. Three people including Mr Kurundkar are arrested in the case. His friends Kundan Bhandari and Mahesh Falanikar kidnapped and killed her. They threw her body in the Vashi creek. We are trying to get proof with the help of navy now," informed Mr Patil. He also said that Mr Kurundkar will be dismissed after checking the service rules and this procedure will start very soon. He also said that Mr Kurundkar was arrested on December 7, 2017.