Kesarkar's police statement? Probe at initial stage, say cops

In the Powai hostage case, the crime branch has not yet recorded the statement of former education minister Deepak Kesarkar in connection with hostage-taker Rohit Arya, who was gunned down by the police on October 30.

- Megha Kuchik

After the incident, a photo went viral showing both of them sharing a stage. Additionally, separate videos, related to a cleanliness project, in which they referred to each other, are also doing rounds on social media.

The crime branch said that the ex-minister's statement has not been recorded yet as the probe is still in its preliminary stage. His name has repeatedly surfaced in the case. The videos, mostly featuring Arya and Kesarkar separately, indicate that the former had undertaken a government project related to the education department during the latter's tenure as the minister. However, Arya claimed that the education ministry had withheld his payment.