The Hindu : National : 'Bakery case panchnama lacks authenticity'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 15, 2004

National

National

'Bakery case panchnama lacks authenticity'

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, OCT. 14. The defence in the Best Bakery trial today tried to poke holes in the prosecution's case and tried to show that the panchnama prepared in the case was done to suit the convenience of the police and it lacked any authenticity.

The Best Bakery trial has been gathering momentum since October 4, when the recording of evidence began. So far, 14 witnesses have been examined by both the prosecution and the defence. Ishwarbhai Sutar, Deputy Fire Officer at Dandia Bazar in Vadodara, was among those examined this morning. Mr. Sutar testified that he was called to the scene of the crime at Hanuman Tekri and when he reached there, he realised that it was a bakery and people were shouting for help.

An old woman crying for help was rescued and nine other injured persons were sent for treatment. He saw seven bodies — four children and three women. The rescue operation lasted two hours. He said the whole building was hot and they had to cool it down by spraying water. He also said smoke filled the building when he reached the site of the bakery.

Satishbhai Rawal, a fireman who drives an ambulance, testified that when he reached the place, he saw two bodies in an open field. He took them to a nearby hospital. The bodies were burnt and their hands and feet tied. There were some injuries on the head too. However, when the defence counsel, D.S. Jambaulikar, questioned him, Mr. Rawal said he did not remember if he told the police, while recording his statement, that if the hands and feet of the two bodies were tied. He also said he did not get down from the vehicle while the bodies were being put into the ambulance by some other people. Mr. Jambaulikar accused him of lying and asked Mr. Rawal if the investigating officer had asked him whether the bodies were burnt and their hands and legs tied. Mr. Rawal denied this.

Later, two panch witnesses were cross-examined by the defence. One of them, Shabbir Puravala, admitted that he was called in at least 15 cases to sign the panchnama. Mr Jambaulikar said the law did not permit professional panchas and according to his information, Puravala had signed as a panch in 35 cases.

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