The Bombay High Court on Wednesday observed that it was a riot-like situation in the August 2011 Maval protest, before the police opened fire at the agitators, killing three and injuring 19.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday observed that it was a riot-like situation in the August 2011 Maval protest, before the police opened fire at the agitators, killing three and injuring 19.
While they questioned the police action of firing at the protesters, the judges also remarked that the situation comprised irate villagers. “It’s not like the villagers did nothing. There is no doubt that there was a riot-like situation. The only question is how the police should have handled the situation,” remarked justice SA Bobade.
The judges’ remark came during the hearing of three different petitions that sought action against the errant police officers, including the then superintendent of police Sandeep Karnik. The PILs have also sought probe by an independent probe agency like CID or CBI as it involves police officers.
Anil Anturkar, counsel for one of the petitioners, argued that an FIR be lodged against Karnik too as he was the first to fire at the crowd. “The FIR names eight policemen, including two police officers and six constables, but Karnik has been spared as he is the son-in-law of then director general of police Ajit Parasnis,” charged Anturkar.
But special state counsel Ashutosh Kumbhkoni told the court that the local police was probing the incident and had submitted a report to the Maval magistrate court. While urging the court to view the half-hour video footage of the incident, Kumbhkoni said the police gave sufficient warnings to the agitators before firing on them.
Keeping the PILs for hearing after two weeks, the judges said that they will view all the footage of the incident there is.
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