Mumbai: A special MCOCA court recently allowed the return of a police jeep used in a robbery last year to the Motor Transport Department after the Mumbai Police pleaded that it was facing a shortage of vehicles.

The Mahindra TUV 300 was used by six arrested accused who posed as police personnel and “raided” the Sion home of CaféMysore owner, Naresh Nayak, in May 2024. They told Nayak that they had information that black money meant for the Lok Sabha election was kept at his house. Then they searched the premises and left with Rs 25 lakh.

Among the accused were Constable Babasaheb Bhagwat, 50, who is now dismissed, and retired cop Dinkar Salvi, 60.

Seeking the return of the 4X4, the Additional Commissioner of Police, Motor Transport Department, Sachin Badhe, told the court: “Vehicles are given for protection of VIPs living in Mumbai and those visiting the city. There is a shortage of vehicles in the Motor Transport Department... vehicles are required for bandobast duties...”

“We pray for the release of the said government vehicle in favour of additional police commissioner, Motor Transport Division, Mumbai,” he said.

The prosecution said it had no objection to the release of the vehicle. “If the vehicle is kept pending in stationary condition in the custody of the investigating officer, in the premises of Sion police station, certainly it will be damaged... Ultimately unnecessary loss would be suffered by the government.'

Considering the prosecution’s position, the court allowed the return of the vehicle to the department – on execution of Rs10 lakh indemnity bond.

The court imposed several conditions, including that the vehicle must not be transferred to anyone else. It also asked the investigating officer to prepare a detailed panchanama of the vehicle with photographs and asked him to retain the original papers of the vehicle with him.