Deepak Popat provides club with vital evidence in doping of mare; possibility of identities of individuals involved in alleged conspiracy being revealed.

Nearly a month after trainer Pesi Shroff's suspension was reversed by the RWITC's stewards' body, there is a strong possibility that the identities of individuals involved in the alleged sabotage and conspiracy in the Bullseye doping incident will be officially revealed by RWITC itself.

It is reliably learnt that Deepak Popat - who provided Mumbai police's Crime Intelligence Unit the crucial leads in unravelling the initial contours of a conspiracy to malign and frame trainer Pesi Shroff and K N Dhunjibhoy-owned Nanoli Stud Farms in the Bullseye drugging case - has handed over the recordings of his alleged cell-phone conversations with several suspects named in the case on Tuesday last.

Popat's lawyer is said to have got a copy of these recordings hand-delivered to the offices of N H S Mani and Pradyumna Singh, RWITC's additional secretary and senior stipendiary steward, respectively.

Mani and Singh, however, denied receiving the recordings, but said they were on leave during that period and will join office on November 30.

Having the recordings in their possession should be a significant breakthrough for RWITC's stewards' body, which was under a lot of pressure as it was neither able to confirm nor refute Shroff's allegations as also the co-owners of Bullseye claiming that Bullseye was "got at" by a rival professional out of vendetta.

It remains to be seen if the recordings are presented before the stewards on Sunday, and what action they might initiate.

Speaking to Mirror on condition of anonymity, sources close to Popat said, "The club made an ill-advised move in stopping Popat from entering the racecourse a few days ago. He had already made it clear that he wanted to assist the investigation agency and the turf club in finding out the truth behind Bullseye's doping. He has reasserted his intentions by handing over the tapes directly to the club now."

When asked about this development, Shroff said, "If the recordings are with the club it's a good thing. The stewards kept asking me during the course of Bullseye's hearings if I could provide them those tapes. Nobody would be happier than me if these recordings can help solve this crime. It's up to the stewards now to bring out the entire truth in this matter before the racing fraternity at the earliest."

Case history

Bullseye, co-owned by ex-RWITC chairman K N Dhunjibhoy and Vijay Shirke, had tested positive for anabolic steroid boldenone in December 2013.

Trainer Pesi Shroff was prosecuted by the club for breach of medication rules, while Shroff filed a complaint with the police in February 2014, alleging conspiracy and sabotage.

As per proposed rules, a trainer guilty of using an anabolic steroid could face a minimum two-year ban and the horse in question will not be allowed to race for six months.

Fortunately for Shroff, in May the Crime Branch questioned former assistant trainer Deepak Popat about phone conversation between him, trainer C D Katrak and Umed Singh, the main suspect named by Shroff. Popat then turned witness and surrendered several audio-clips to the police. He alleged that Katrak and Singh were trying to frame Shroff and Nanoli Stud Farm owners.

Before Popat revealed the conspiracy, the RWITC's stewards' body had already handed Shroff a ninemonth ban. He challenged it and, last month, the ban was revoked but Shroff was fined Rs 1 lakh.

Save for recording statements of some individuals who were called for questioning by Crime Branch, investigations into Shroff's allegations of sabotage and conspiracy have come to a standstill.

Courtesy http://www.mumbaimirror.com