A sessions court in Pune on Friday ordered the transfer of Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon violence case to an NIA court in Mumbai after National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed an application seeking the same.
Along with this, the Pune sessions court has asked all the accused in the case to appear before the special NIA court on February 28. Although the Maharashtra government filed a No Objection Certificate (NOC), the court said that it did not have the power to continue with the case.
This move comes after the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government decided to transfer the politically sensitive Bhima Koregaon case to the NIA.
It was learned that the Maharashtra government had a meeting with the police officers earlier after which it was ordered to transfer the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon violence case to NIA. As per sources, state advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhkoni advised the government that the state can’t resist the NIA from taking over the investigation in this matter.
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Earlier today, NCP chief Sharad Pawar slammed the Maharashtra government over its decision to transfer the Bhima Koregaon case to NIA saying that it was constitutionally wrong as the probe of the crime falls under state’s jurisdiction.
Pawar stated that the central government’s decision to transfer the case to NIA was unfair, but Maharashtra government’s approving it was more unfair.
Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP leader, Anil Deshmukh also admitted that the Chief Minister has “overruled” his party’s stand on the issue.
Also Read - Maharashtra Government Transfers Elgar Parishad Case To NIA, "Overrules" NCP's Stand
Pawar had advocated forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter while stating that the centre was afraid that the “truth will come out”.
The Pune Police had arrested activists and academicians including Sudhir Dhawale, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Sudha Bharadwaj, Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Rona Wilson and Shoma Sen in the case.
The police booked the human rights activists and lawyers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for their alleged inflammatory speeches at Elgar Parishad conclave which was held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2018.
Also Read - Bhima Koregaon Case Transferred To NIA: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar Slams Maharashtra Government
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