This is the third instance when Rajwani did not turn up -- claiming ill-health -- after the case began on July 13. His advocate Prabhakar Hegde produced a certificate from Ulhasnagar Civic Hospital which said that the patient was suffering from angina (chest pain). The certificate informed the court that Rajwani had undergone a by-pass surgery only last year. Judge Bhagat Jagtap was told that the accused was incapable of making it to the court as he would need at least two weeks rest.

Meanwhile, another accused in the case, UMC corporator Pandharinath Waringhe, claimed that his arrest by Rajkumar Kothmire of the Central police station, Ulhasnagar -- when the anticipatory bail case was still going on -- amounted to contempt of court. This matter will also be heard now when the case comes up for hearing onAugust 6.

It was the second day in succession that heavyweights from Ulhasnangar were produced in the Kalyan court. TADA detenue Pappu Kalani was presented in the Kalyan court in connection with an attempted murder case yesterday. Hundreds thronged the court premises for meeting him and the police finally had to move him away towards the Bhanu-Sagar cinema in a police van.

It may be recalled that there had been an attempt to kill Behrani in 1996. Kalani was named as the brain behind the attack and he is facing charges under Section 307 of the IPC in the case (number 1509/96).

Kalani said he was a victim of political enmity. He refused to comment on the recent unsuccessful bid on Behrani's life or on the probability of his bete noire Gopal Rajwani's alleged involvement.

He further said that time spent in the prison had made him very religious. Interestingly, Kalani was all ears as a well-known local journalist from Ulhasnagar filled him on the latest developments in Sindhi.