Mid-Day

Mumbai, Jun 10: A Vikhroli court convicted Sub-Inspector Sampat Mane (47) for duping his constable friend Vishwas Tamhankar (40) of Rs 3 lac. Mane will either have to pay a fine of Rs 1.1 lac or spend one year in jail.

Mane and Tamhankar live in Vikhroli police colony and have been close friends for a decade. In October 1998, Mane asked Tamhankar for a loan of Rs 2 lac, which Tamhankar gave in cash without any written proof.

Again, in June 2004, Mane asked for another Rs 1 lac, which he promised to return soon along with the earlier dues.

In February last year, when Tamhankar asked for the money, to pay for his father’s treatment, Mane gave him three cheques totalling Rs 3 lac.

Tamhankar said, “But when I went to draw the money, I was told that Mane’s account was closed. So I was forced to sue him.”

However, the court ordered Mane to pay only Rs 1 lac. Divakar Rai, Tamhankar’s lawyer, said, “We will appeal in the sessions court as we believe our claim for Rs 3 lac is valid.”

A relieved Tamhankar said, “It’s sad that policemen fight with each other for justice. He promised to pay but betrayed me. He said, ‘Jo karna hai kar le, tujhe kuch milne waala nahin.’ Now I’ve showed him who’s right, and justice feels good.” 

Mane, who is presently in the Vashi railway police, faces similar complaints for bounced cheques at Vikhroli’s Khatau Taluka Bank and Ghatkopar’s Dirbadevi Sahakari Bank, revealed police officials.

Mane’s advocate Narendra Singh said, “Tamhankar’s complaint is false. He trapped Mane using blank cheques.”