Study group on low-conviction rate formed in Maharashtra

The state home department has set up a study group to suggest measures to deal with the low-conviction rate in the state.

The state home minister, RR Patil, told reporters on Saturday that the study group will visit states having high conviction rates.

“The group will also examine complicated cases solved by the police not only in Maharashtra, but also in other states. It will then suggest remedies for improving the conviction rate in the state,” he said.

In reply to a question, he said the home department is taking seriously cases wherein courts pass strictures against the inquiry officers. Patil said delayed justice is also a reason for low conviction rate.

“Every district will have a team of trained police officers to handle cyber crimes,” he added.

Patil said the alliance of the Republican Party of India faction led by Ramdas Athavale and the Shiv Sena will not harm the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) politically.

“Athavale parted ways with the NCP before the last assembly polls. But our performance was better in that election,” he said. According to Patil, the deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s criticism of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray is nothing new.

“Shiv Sena activists should not unnecessarily burn Pawar’s effigies as a mark of protest and NCP workers should not react to such stirs by the Sena. Such acts need to be stopped at once,” he said.