Pune: Crime Branch sleuths have claimed that two suspects Ashpak Makandar and Dr. Ajay Taware, forensic sciences department head at Sassoon General Hospital, were in touch for past five months and had conversation over 70 calls between them. The duo has been arrested on charges of manipulating the blood sample reports of the minor driver after the May 19 Porsche car crash in Kalyaninagar area of Pune city.
Ashpak (36) and his aide Amar Gaikwad (27), and Dr Taware and his colleague and casualty medical officer Dr Shrihari Halnor, were arrested by Pune Police Crime Branch for allegedly destroying evidence in the Porsche Car accident case. The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) had set up a three member committee to probe the alleged misconduct by two doctors. Besides them, mother and father of the minor driver, Vishal Agarwal and Shivani Agarwal were also arrested and have been remanded in police custody till June 10.
Makandar's role was suspicious to the police from the beginning. The investigation revealed that he was involved in illegal activities and also operated a hookah parlor. Additionally, it came to light during the investigation that he was collecting money bribe for local police through these illegal activities. Makandar also had a significant involvement in the accident case. Senior police officers stated that the blood sample manipulation incident occurred after discussions between Dr. Taware and Makandar. The Crime Branch was investigating through whom Agarwal gave money to Dr. Taware. The investigation revealed that Agarwal contacted Ashpak and Amar to give money to Dr. Taware.
Police also claimed that it was Makandar and Dr. Taware who advised manipulating blood sample of the minor. When the news about the DNA test of the blood sample spread and considering the looming threat of arrest over Vishal Agarwal, the dealings between him and Makandar were postponed. Meanwhile, Vishal Agarwal and Makandar also met at a café. During this meeting, Makandar had tipped off Vishal Agarwal that action would be taken against him. After that, Vishal Agarwal absconded to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, say police officials.