Sleuths slept on benches, survived on junk food

Author: Manish Pachouly
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 4, 2003
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=164251

Solving the twin blasts was no cakewalk for the cops. The Crime Branch team comprising about 20 cops investigating the blasts hasn't gone home for six days. They arrested four accused but the chase for other accused continues. The cops may be exhausted, but they're all charged up. "The team from Crime Branch Units 9 and 11 hasn't gone home since Friday," says ACP Suresh Walishetty.
 
Amidst the hectic work, the team managed to snatch an hour or two to go home. "We still sleep in the office because we have to get the accused," says Walishetty. But catching up on sleep on the narrow benches is anything but comfortable. "Every time we slept, we feared that the accused may escape," says Inspector Vinayak Savde. Many didn't even get time to change clothes.
 
The cops had to survive on junk food during their long vigil. Two teams laid traps at eight to 10 places. "The team stood at these places from 8 am to 1 am. Only after we were sure that the accused wouldn't come there did we return to office," says Senior Inspector Vijay Salaskar. "We survived on vada pavs and bhajiyas."
 
It was a strain on the family front too. "My sons kept calling to ask when I'd get home," says Inspector Vinay Savde. "It's a tricky situation, we can't tell them where were we are as we have to maintain secrecy."
 
It's not just the juniors who are spending sleepless nights. Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria who is supervising the investigation also could not go home for three days.
 
(manish.pachouly@timesgroup.com)
 

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