Nayak who is known for 83 encounter killings has been reinstated for the second time.
Maharashtra government has decided to reinstate suspended officer, who were known for gunning down criminals of Mumbai underworld. Director General of Police Praveen Dixit confirmed that Daya Nayak, a former encounter specialist, has been recalled for the duty. This is the second time Nayak has been reinstated. The first time was in June 2012, when he was transferred to Nagpur, pending inquiries against him. However, he did not join duty there, and was suspended again. Nayak has 83 encounter killings to his credit.
A 1995-batch police officer, Nayak was under suspension for nearly six-and-a-half years, after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested him in 2006 following complaints that he owned assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
When Nayak had inaugurated his Radhabhai Nayak School in Yennehole village at Karkala in Karnataka allegations of disproportionate assets had started against him in January 2002. The function was attended by Karnataka’s then Education Minister H Vishwanath, painter MF Hussain as well as actors Amitabh Bachchan, Sunil Shetty and Aftab Shivdasani. A departmental inquiry, however, had cleared Nayak of all allegations.
“The order instructing him to join the Nagpur police was cancelled by the government in August. Thereafter, there was no reason to continue his suspension. He was reinstated on Thursday,” DGP, Maharashtra, Praveen Dixit said.
In 2009, the then Director General of Police SS Virk had denied permission to prosecute Nayak, saying there was insufficient evidence, and cleared him of all charges. In 2010, the Supreme Court quashed all charges against him under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.
When Afternoon Voice contacted Daya Nayak he said, “I am always happy serving department and country. I feel privileged that the government has reinstated me in the department.”
Nayak was suspended in June last year for not joining duty and being on sick leave for a very long time. At that time his posting was in Nagpur area. Prior to that, he was reinstated in June 2012 after being under suspension for around six years. After a brief stint with Local Arms wing of the department, Nayak was transferred to the west region (Bandra to Andheri) of the city which is considered as a ‘high-profile’ zone in the police department.
