Video capture of CCTV images of the assault on former Navy officer Madan Sharma. (Image: Twitter / @ DevangVDave)
Denying any political interference, Joint Police (Law & Order) Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil said bail was granted to the defendants in light of the COVID-19 situation.
- News18.com Mumbai
- Last update: September 12, 2020 6:43 PM IST
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A day after a retired Navy officer was assaulted in Mumbai for posting a cartoon of Prime Minister Uddhav Thackeray on social media, six suspected Shiv Sena workers arrested in the case were granted bail on Saturday. The release evoked allegations of political pressure on the police.
Questioning the decision to grant bail, BJP leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said: “It is very bad and it is a kind of ‘state sponsored terror’ situation. I called Uddhav ji through from my tweet to stop this ‘goonda raj’. Six defendants were released within 10 minutes. ” Fadnavis had criticized the Thackeray government on Friday for reports of the assault.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said he spoke with the Navy veteran and wished him a speedy recovery. “I spoke with retired naval officer Madan Sharma, who was attacked by hooligans in Mumbai, and asked about his health. Such attacks on former military personnel are completely unacceptable and deplorable. I wish Madan ji a speedy recovery,” he added. AND ME he quoted him saying.
The six people were arrested after local BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar posted a video of Friday’s assault on retired officer Madan Sharma (62) on Twitter. A complaint was filed against the Seine workers at the Kandivali police station. The opposition leader in the state legislative council Pravin Darekar, Bhatkhalkar and the victim’s relatives organized an agitation in front of the ACP office in Kandivali.
They demanded that the defendants be registered under sections 326 (causing serious harm with weapons and dangerous means) and 452 and 450 (breaking and entering) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which are not bail. Nangre Patil, who visited the protest site, told protesters that the defendants were booked under section 325 of the IPC for causing serious injuries and sections of riot, which was a bail offense.
“Six people arrested yesterday under Article 325 of the IPC. They were granted bail in view of the COVID-19 situation. There is no political pressure. I don’t think Article 326 can be invoked as that amounts to use. of sharp weapons. We will see the legal scrutiny of imposing search clauses on them, “said the police officer. The Shiv Sena heads the Maha Vikas Aghadi Dispensation (MVA), which also comprises the NCP and Congress.
With PTI inputs
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