CBI Files Case Against IPS Officer Bhagyashree Navtake for Forgery and Criminal Conspiracy in BHR Credit Society Investigation
Pune:
In a major development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against IPS officer Bhagyashree Navtake on charges of forgery and criminal conspiracy. Navtake, who had spearheaded an investigation into an alleged Rs 1,200 crore fraud involving the Jalgaon-based Bhaichand Hirachand Raisoni (BHR) Credit Society between 2020 and 2022, is now under investigation herself.
The case against Navtake stems from complaints filed by Sunil Zawar and Kunal Shah, two suspected accused in the BHR Credit Society fraud case. The two individuals had lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) against Navtake, who was then serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Financial Crimes Branch of Pune Police. Following this, the investigation into Navtake’s alleged misconduct was transferred to the CBI.
The accusations against Navtake include failure to take proper action and allegedly protecting the accused during the course of the investigation. She has also been accused of hastily registering criminal cases in the matter, purportedly with ulterior motives, while disregarding standard legal procedures. Deputy Commissioner of Police Nikhil Pingle of the Crime Branch filed a formal complaint against Navtake at Bundgarden police station, leading to the case being taken over by the CBI.
The decision to hand the case to the CBI came after the Chief Minister’s approval of a proposal regarding the investigation. The CBI has since initiated efforts to gather evidence against Navtake.
This case has its origins in complaints registered across three police stations in Pune district in November 2020. Zawar and Shah later complained the matter to the DGP. After that, conducting an internal inquiry, in this case on February 19, 2024, the DGP’s office submitted a report to the Home Department, after which the Chief Minister’s Office directed the CBI to take over the investigation.
Navtake has been involved in previous controversies as well. While serving in Majalgaon, Beed district, she faced backlash for making controversial statements about the Dalit community, which eventually led to her transfer to Aurangabad.
