According to the prosecution case, on August 3, 1996, the police team comprising police sub inspector Ramesh Mukadam, head constable Dasrath Naik and police constables Sanjay Pawar and Rajan Dicholkar all attached to the Local Arms Unit I had escorted Mohammed Rafiq Abdul Hanif Shaikh alias Salim, a member of the Subhash Singh Thakur gang, from Arthur Road jail to Vasai Metropolitan Magistrate court in connection with the hearing of a case registered against Rafiq.

After the hearing, instead of return to the jail, Rafiq ordered the police team that he be taken to the residence of builder Paresh Patel at Malad. He met Patel and demanded Rs five lakh threatening his familywith dire consequences.

Unlike an earlier occasion when he paid Rafiq Rs two lakh and did not report to the police, Patel immediately lodged a complaint with the Crime Branch. After an investigation a case was registered against the policemen on charges of extortion and helping the criminal. The accused were arrested but later released on bail.

Rafiq, the prime accused, was released on bail and has been absconding since. Before passing the order, the magistrate expressed anguish as to why no departmental enquiry was initiated against the accused who still continue to serve the department. All the accused prayed for leniency.

Assistant public prosecutor Chandrakanta Sharma prayed that maximum sentence should be given to the accused.