Bidre murder: Cop put on promotion list before arrest

MUMBAI: The name of police inspector Abhay Kurundkar, who was arrested in March, for his alleged role in the April 2016 case related to the disappearance and suspected murder of API Ashwini Bidre, appeared in the police list for promotions only prior to his arrest and dismissal. Based on this, his promotion stands invalid, said police sources.

State Director General of Police (DGP) Satish Mathur said, “To clarify that there is no question of promoting police inspector Abhay Kurundkar as he has been dismissed by invoking provisions of 311 of the Indian constitution. As far as his name on the promotion list is concerned, it appears on the list as he was eligible on a particular date but in view of his dismissal there would be no question of promotion, and the list was made before he was arrested for the alleged murder of Ashwini Bidre-Gore.”

DGP Mathur said, “In fact he is no longer a member of the police force, and was dismissed from the force on my orders.”

Senior inspector Abhay Kurundkar, the main accused in assistant inspector Ashwini Bidre-Gore murder case, recently applied for bail. However, the bail application was withdrawn from the Alibaug session court before the case hearing on Monday.

Nilesh Raut, assistant commissioner of police (crime), confirmed the withdrawal of the bail application but said he didn’t know the reason. Kurundkar had been held for Bhidre’s murder.