Sameer Gaikwad had abused Dalit girlfriend: Chargesheet

Mumbai: The prime accused in Comrade Govind Pansare killing, Sameer Gaikwad had used abusive language against his Dalit girlfriend. This was revealed in a chargesheet filed against him in the local Kolhapur court. Sameer has tried to insult his girlfriend Jyoti because of her lower caste status and had highlighted his higher caste, Maratha.

The mobile conversations between Sameer and Jyoti were intercepted by the police and have been attached with the chargesheet presented before the court. It was also revealed in the conversation that he was angry with his wife and wished to “strangulate” her.

Sameer in his conversation with Jyoti dated August 1, 2015 has called her ‘pig’ for not taking his calls. When Jyoti teases him about his language, Sameer emphasises that he is ‘96 kuli Maratha’ and a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj. He also tells her that he is not ‘Ambedkar’, to indicate her lower caste.

In the conversation, Sameer further tells Jyoti, “You are our sepoy and Shivaji Maharaj’s royal family is ours. … you are sepoy people. … our labourers.”

In an attempt to end the conversation, Jyoti says, “You are king and we are sepoy.” But not satisfied with the answer, Sameer goes on insulting her by saying “(you are) not even sepoy but labourers of sepoy.”

Jyoti then agrees with him and says “Go. We are labourers ok.” Sameer then says “Labour union organisation Pansare.”

This reply given by Sameer to the statement has made the police suspicious about his involvement in the killing.

During a conversation with Jyoti on June 19, 2015, Sameer calls somebody a “bastard”. The police suspect that he was referring to his estranged wife Harshada, who is also the member of the Sanatan Sanstha and lives in its Goa ashram. Sameer was married to her in June 2009 but she left him in 2012. He further says “If I would have had a gun, I would have shot all six bullets in her head.”

Jyoti in her statement given to police has agreed to having a conversation with Sameer but tried to downplay it.

Jyoti, who is from Mumbai, came into contact with Sameer in September 2014 while working for Sanatan. She confessed to have been in touch with him later and said that they wanted to marry. She also knew that Sameer was married and her wife was also staying in the Goa ashram.

Jyoti worked as a full timer at the Goa ashram between 2009 and 2010, where Harshada was living. She worked at the ashram in May 2015 doing sound and visual editing.

Harshada in her statement has denied having any contact with Sameer since 2012. She has also refused having any information about his work in Sanatan Sanstha.

Source: The Asian Age

http://www.asianage.com/mumbai/sameer-gaikwad-had-abused-dalit-girlfriend-chargesheet-214