123Pune.com

Mumbai: If NCP leader D h a r m r a o Baba Atram, allegedly involved in the killing of a chinkara, does not surrender before the forest authorities within a reasonable time, he will be declared an absconder.

"We have launched a massive search for him. If he does not surrender, he will be declared an absconder,'' a senior forest official told TOI.

Atram had moved an application for anticipatory bail. But even before his application was rejected by the sessions court, Atram quietly left the court premises. When a team of forest officials led by assistant conservator H G Dhumal reached the hotel, where he was staying for the last two days, they were informed that he had already checked out.

On June 14, Atram, along with his two friends had a party at his farmhouse near Pune. On June 16, the villagers lodged a complaint with the forest department alleging that Atram and his friends had allegedly killed a chinkara. On the basis of preliminary reports, Atram's two friends were arrested. Later, Atram's personal car, revolver and a rifle were seized from his official residence.

Then Atram was summoned to the Pune forest office for recording his statement on August 11. On that day, Atram did not turn up, saying, he was held owing to heavy rains. A day after, Atram moved the sessions court for an anticipatory bail. The court had then rejected the bail, but at the same time adjourned the case for final orders for August 19.

Meanwhile, Atram moved the high court, which asked the forest sleuths not to arrest Atram till August 19. On Tuesday, the sessions court rejected Atram's anticipatory bail application and paved the way for his arrest. Atram has denied the allegations.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Atram_faces_absconder_tag_if_h...