Congress MLA Sanjay Sharma from Madhya Pradesh was questioned by the city police for approximately two hours on Thursday in connection with the sensational murder case of Sana alias Heena Khan. The police asked 22 questions to MLA Sharma and recorded his statement, said police. Sharma, an MLA from Tendukheda Legislative Constituency, was suspected to have had contact with prime accused in the murder case -- Pappu alias Amit Shahu, during his time in hiding. A notice was served to Sharma on Monday, requesting his presence before the city police for questioning. He arrived in the city on Thursday morning and was subjected to questioning in the office of DCP Zone II Rahul Madne. A top police official said that Pappu was in contact with some persons closely associated with MLA Sharma after committing the murder. Sharma and Pappu had even met a day before Pappu’s arrest by Nagpur police in Jabalpur. Another accused Rabbu alias Ravishankar Yadav, known for aiding the absconding accused, was reported to have close ties with Sharma as well, the official said.

 

Officials of the Crime Branch and Mankapur Police Station were also present during the questioning. Both Pappu Sahu and Rabbu Yadav were present, and Sharma was questioned face-to-face with the accused also present during the questioning, said an official. The police are trying to establish MLA Sharma’s connection with Pappu and scanning the politician’s role in the case. While speaking to mediapersons, MLA Sharma denied having any recent connection with Pappu, stating that he had not seen him for past 7-8 years. “Pappu was working with us 15 years ago,” said Sharma. An official said that Sharma’s nephew and Pappu were reportedly accused in a murder case reported over a decade ago. Since then, a connection between Pappu and Sharma had developed.

 

Sana Khan’s mother, Mehrunisha Khan, a Congress worker, also visited DCP Madne’s office and expressed frustration over the investigation. However, after discussions with officials, she expressed her trust in the police’s efforts. Mehrunisha dismissed Pappu’s claims of sextortion racket and asserted that he was misleading the police. Sana went missing on August 2 after a confrontation with her husband-turned-foe, Pappu. The relationship between the two had reportedly soured, with Pappu suspecting Sana’s fidelity. The situation escalated on August 1 during a video call between Sana and Amit. Following the altercation, Sana traveled to Jabalpur on August 2 and entered Pappu’s residence, where a violent confrontation ensued, resulting in her murder.