After delaying payment for more than 2 years, the Navi Mumbai police have finally paid part of the fees of special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat, appointed in the murder case of Ashwini Gore-Bidre. Gharat received the payment of Rs 9 lakh from cops after a report by mid-day on the same, on April 4. However, fees worth Rs 10 lakh are still awaited. Gharat had written to the commissioner of police, Navi Mumbai in March stating he doesn’t wish to appear in the case if his fees are not paid. This is the second time advocate Gharat has had to raise the issue of non-payment of fees since he has taken up the case.

mid-day had carried a report on April 4 about administrative lacunae which led to the non-payment of the fees of Gharat, a senior lawyer appointed as special public prosecutor in the murder case of Gore-Bidre. Gharat was appointed in the case in May 2019. He raised the issue for the first time in October 2020, when he wasn’t paid for 17 months.