Hema Upadhayay murder case: Police seek nod for narco-analysis on Chintan

Mumbai: Police on Friday sought a court's permission to conduct narco-analysis test on artist Chintan Upadhayay, an accused in the murder of his wife Hema and her advocate Harish Bhambhani, even as his custody was extended till January 4.

Police produced Chintan in Borivali Metropolitan Court, where they moved an application seeking permission to subject him to narco-analysis test as part of their probe into the sensational double murder case that came to light on December 12 when their bodies were found in a drain in Kandivali.

The 44-year-old artist, arrested on December 22, was produced in the Court of Magistrate Prasad Kulkarni after the end of his police custody.

The Investigating Officer told the court that police have recovered a personal dairy, pen drive, hard drives, memory card, IPad and sketches from Chintan's house in Delhi. The materials will be examined to ascertain if they have any link with the murders, he said.

Maintaining that the investigation in the case was complicated, police sought further remand of Chintan. The officer informed said they want to interrogate Chintan further to find clues about Vidyadhar Rajbhar, a key accused in the case who is still on run.

They need to determine whether matrimonial cases involving Chintan and his estranged wife Hema (43) and dispute over their flat in upscale Juhu area were the motives behind the murders. They are also questioning Chintan about a Bengaluru- based person, who had supplied sedative that was used for knocking out the victims, the officer said.

After the end of arguments, the Magistrate extended Chintan's remand till January 4. Meanwhile, the Court rejected Chintan's plea to undergo health re-examination given his back problem.

Claiming that the artist has severe back problem, his lawyer Nitin Pradhan sought re-examination of his health condition and proper medical assistance for him. There should be some place for human dignity.

Considering that he has severe back problem, Chintan should be provided medical aid, he argued. However, citing a medical report submitted by JJ Hospital, which claims Chintan's health condition is normal, the court rejected the plea. Pradhan said the Crime Branch, which interrogated Chintan for 10 days, should submit a case diary in the court.

Chintan is accused of conspiring to kill his wife and her lawyer with the help of other accused. The other accused, Pradip Rajbhar, Vijay Rajbhar, Shivkumar Rajbhar and Azaad Rajbhar are in judicial custody till January 11.