Solkar was appointed SPP on December 15, 2020, “free of cost” to the exchequer, at the request of Gadoli’s family. (File Photo/ Image enhanced using Google Gemini)Reacting to his sudden removal as special public prosecutor (SPP) by the Maharashtra government in the alleged fake encounter case of local gangster Sandeep Gadoli, Amin Solkar told The Indian Express that while he had not been officially informed of the reason, he believed the government’s interference, particularly after the case was to be reserved for judgment, was uncalled for.The case relates to the February 6, 2016 killing of Haryana gangster Sandeep Gadoli, who was shot dead inside a hotel near Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by a team of Haryana Police officers. Though the FIR was registered at Mumbai’s MIDC police station, the probe was conducted by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.Mumbai Police have alleged the encounter was staged and that Gadoli was killed at the behest of a rival gang. Eight persons, including police officers, Gadoli’s alleged girlfriend and former model Divya Pahuja, and her mother, were named as accused. Pahuja was shot dead in Gurugram in January 2024, months after she was released on bail. Of the 195 witnesses cited, 43 were examined during the trial. The Supreme Court has made the case time-bound.Solkar was appointed SPP on December 15, 2020, “free of cost” to the exchequer, at the request of Gadoli’s family. His removal on February 13 came months after he moved a plea to add four more Haryana Police personnel, including a DCP-rank officer, as accused. The plea was rejected in July 2025.“Public prosecutors are not police prosecutors. A public prosecutor is expected to assist the court to see that justice is done. It is his prerogative to decide which witness needs to be examined and who does not,” Solkar told this newspaper.He has been replaced by a regular assistant public prosecutor for the remainder of the trial, which is nearing conclusion.Speaking to The Indian Express, Solkar said, “It is not clear why they have cancelled my appointment; I have not been given any reason. At this stage of the trial, when it was just about to be reserved for judgment, there should not have been this kind of interference from the government, or they should have fairly stated that we are cancelling it for this particular reason.”Story continues below this adHe said he was informed of the cancellation last week. A notification issued on February 11 stated: “The Government of Maharashtra hereby cancels the appointment of Mr M Amin H Solkar as special public prosecutor for conducting the case….”A query sent to the state law and judiciary department seeking comment did not elicit a response. Mumbai Police officials also did not provide a reason for the removal, but said they disagreed with some of the stands taken by Solkar during the trial.Solkar is the third SPP to be removed by the state government in recent years after moving pleas to add more accused during trial.In the abetment of suicide case of Dr Payal Tadvi, the Bombay High Court had raised concerns over the “unceremonious” removal of SPP Pradip Gharat and questioned how prosecutors could function “under the hanging sword of uncertainty” or “venture to act independently”. Gharat had moved an application under Section 319 to add the gynaecology unit head of KEM Hospital as accused. The trial has since been stayed by the high court after Tadvi’s mother challenged his removal.Story continues below this adIn 2018, SPP Dhiraj Mirajkar was removed in the 2003 custodial death case of software engineer Khwaja Yunus after he moved to add four policemen as accused. His plea was later withdrawn by the new prosecutor.Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More © The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Bombay High Courtlegal news india