Sunday, May 05, 2024 | Last Update : 02:08 AM IST
Court rejects MIM corporator’s plea
The police have arrested around 17 persons in the case including, Shaikh.
Mumbai: A sessions court has rejected an application filed by MIM corporator Shahnawaz Hussain Shaikh, seeking a relaxation in the condition of attending the Trombay police station imposed on him while granting bail. Shaikh was arrested for instigating riots and attempt on the life of policemen, after a miscreant posted an objectionable morphed photograph on social media that offended the religious feelings of Muslims.
On March 18 this year, a mob had set a police van on fire, damaged two police vehicles, and vandalised the Trombay police station. The police have arrested around 17 persons in the case including, Shaikh. The police had arrested him for allegedly instigating mob vandalism even after the accused was arrested.
The court had on April 13, granted Shaikh conditional bail. As per bail conditions, he is supposed to attend the local police station twice a week. Shaikh had contended before the court that he is a counsellor and that investigation in the crime was over and therefore it is necessary to cancel the condition for attendance.
Public prosecutor Iqbal Solkar opposed the bail plea saying the offence is very serious. The attendance is necessary to avoid any further dispute, that too between two religions. He also submitted that till today there is police bandobast and therefore it is not advisable to cancel the condition of attendance.
After hearing the arguments, sessions judge V. P. Avhad observed that, after perusal of the reply it appears that the applicants were members of the unlawful assembly and in prosecution of common object of the said assembly, they pelted stones, paver blocks and burning balls on the police and also set on fire a police vehicle and damaged the glasses of the police station.
“Considering the nature of offence, no doubt, the incident is very serious and that too against the police, in which 14 policemen were injured,” said that judge.
“The relations between the two groups are strained. Police apprehends that there is possibility of repetition of such an incident and in the circumstances it is not advisable to relax the condition of attendance. Hence the application is liable to be rejected,” said that judge while rejecting the plea.
