Amreli letter row: Three police official suspended, SMC takes over probe
Updated: Jan 13th, 2025
State Monitoring Cell (SMC) to take over the investigation in the case of bogus letterhead scam in Amreli, where the controversy had erupted after the woman who belonged to Patidar community was arrested and was rallied around the town for the reconstruction of the scene and was tainted as the main accused.
Questions were raised regarding the police’s actions in the Amreli letter scandal case. When typist Payal Goti was arrested and released from jail, she made serious allegations against the police, claiming that she had been physically assaulted by them.
In response to her accusations, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, consisting of DySP A G Gohil, PI I J Gida, and PSI H J Barwadia.
Following which three police officers from the local crime branch including Kishan Asodariya, Varjang Mulyasiya, Hina Mewada, have been suspended due to negligence in their duty. This action was taken by Amreli district police chief (SP) Sanjay Kharate after the protests in Amreli.
What was the entire incident?
A controversy had erupted in Amreli after a letter allegedly addressed to BJP’s state general secretary accusing BJP MLA Kaushik Vekariya of extortion, alcohol-related misconduct, and offering positions to Congress-aligned leaders was circulated.
The letter went viral on social media, and upon investigation, it was found that the letterhead was fake, leading to a police complaint.
In connection with this incident, the police had focused their investigation on Payal Goti of the Patidar community working as a typist in the BJP leader’s office.
People at large and political circles were outraged after the woman was presented alongside other accused individuals for a reconstruction of the case, with some suggesting that she was being portrayed as a major criminal.
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