Mumbai: Stating that investigation of riot
cases are generally "politically motivated", the Bombay High
Court today sought a report on probe of 2009 communal clashes
in Sangli, in western Maharashtra.
The High Court order came in response to PIL filed by
Sangli-based Samit Kadam, a member of Jan Surajya party,
seeking CBI investigation.
The clashes broke out in Sangli and nearby Miraj during
Ganesh festival in September 2009 over erection of arch
depicting historical scene of Shivaji slaying Afzal Khan.
As per the PIL, 131 cases were registered after the
clashes, but very few culprits were actually arrested.
The petition contends that riots were incited by some
people in view of the state Assembly elections which followed
in October 2009.
Commenting on this, division bench of Acting Chief
Justice J N Patel and S C Dharmadhikari said, "Our observation
is that investigation in such cases is always politically
motivated...You ultimately hold police officers responsible,
making them scapegoats".
The court sought response of current Superintendent of
police, Sangli, to the PIL, and a report on probe.
Earlier this month, outgoing SP, Krishna Prakash, had
stated that Mainuddin Bagwan, local NCP leader and then mayor
of Miraj, was responsible for the riots.
-PTI
