31 ‘guilty’ cops to face fresh trial

Thirty-one police officials, including former joint commissioner RD Tyagi, indicted in the Srikrishna Commission report, would face fresh investigations by a team of senior police officials.

Activists, led by Teesta Setalvad, rooting for the implementation of commission’s report, have in fact suggested a six-member probe team to the state home department.

Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil said on Monday, “They (the activists) wanted former additional DGP VN Deshmukh to head the probe team.

But constitutional bindings would not allow his appointment, as he had once been the head of Maharashtra Public Service Commission. We are considering the five other names, all in-service officers, suggested by them.”

Patil criticised some Muslim organisations for urging members of minority communities to court arrest on December 6 on the event of the state failing to implement the Srikrishna report in toto.

“Some (organisations) are fighting sincerely for justice, but there are other who are trying to gain political mileage from this issue. It is very difficult to deal with them,” he said.