Pune: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged a new case against IPS officer Bhagyashree Navtake following allegations of irregularities in the investigation of the fraud case involving Bhaichand Hirachand Raisoni (BHR) Cooperative Society in Jalgaon.
Navtake, who previously served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) in Pune, had investigated the case involving the liquidator and other accused persons who allegedly defrauded society members.
During the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, multiple cases related to the BHR Cooperative Society were registered at Deccan, Alandi, and Pimpri-Chinchwad police stations.
These cases were subsequently transferred to the EOW for further investigation. Navtake led a series of simultaneous raids by female police officers at various locations in Jalgaon, which caused significant upheaval in the area.
The investigation faced scrutiny when Sunil Zhanwar and Kunal Shah, identified as suspects, filed complaints with the Director General of Police.
The Crime Branch launched a review of the BHR scam, and the CID submitted its findings to the state’s Home Department. Based on the CID's report, the government instructed the Pune police to file a case, leading DCP Nikhil Pingale of the Crime Branch to register a complaint at Bundgarden police station. This resulted in the filing of a case against Bhagyashree Navtake.
The state government later transferred the investigation to the CBI. The CBI has now registered a new case against Navtake, accusing her of fraud and conspiracy related to the investigation of the Rs 1,200 crore scam. The officer has been criticized for not taking appropriate action during the investigation.
Navtake has been further accused of bypassing standard protocols and rushing through the filing of cases, with suspicions of ulterior motives. The CBI is currently collecting evidence against her.
