Domestic help jailed for spiking tea of Bhagyashree’s in-laws

The sessions court on Wednesday convicted a man, who worked as a domestic help for the in-laws of Bollywood actress Bhagyashree, for spiking his employers’ tea. The court has, however, acquitted two others, accused of helping him, and sentenced the help — Ritesh Nisad — to four years imprisonment.

According to the prosecution’s case, actress’ in-laws – Pannala and Shakuntala Dasani — were found in an unconscious condition on January 24, 2014 at their house in Hirak society. It was alleged that Nisad had mixed a sedative, namely Lidocaine, in their tea. When the duo lost their consciousness he ran away with valuables worth Rs 26.60 lakh. 

Bhagyeshree’s husband Himalaya Dasani had registered a complaint with Juhu police station on January 24, 2014 against Nisad. Himalaya alleged that when he reached his parents’ house, they were unconscious and the main door was open. Also, the cupboards were open and shattered. Dasani suspected his servant Nisad as he was not around. 

The police had registered a case of theft, attempt to murder and offence for feeding sedatives or poisonous substance to the victims for a criminal act along with criminal conspiracy. Also, along with Nisad, the cops had arrested Rakesh Jaiswar alias Ajay and Chandan alias Mangal alias Vijay Ramashray Singh in the case for allegedly being his accomplices. 

The sessions judge MG Deshpande on Wednesday acquitted the other two and convicted Nisad only for giving seductive substances to Pannala and Shakuntala. Nisad is now sentenced to four years’ imprisonment with a fine of Rs1,000. 

The advocate for Jaiswal Amrish Salunke and Amar Shilwant said the prosecution had failed to produce any concrete evidence for the involvement of their clients. “The police had failed to show connection between the accused and has also not recovered anything from the accused. The allegation that the articles were stolen by the accused in the conspiracy was not proved,” Salunke said.