Bombay High Court on 19th July lambasted the Maharashtra government for demolishing around 70 buildings in Vishalgad complex, Kolhapur, where communal violence erupted and ordered that no structures be pulled down whether commercial or residential.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati led a ‘Chalo Vishalgad’ march against alleged encroachment on the fort on 14th July. The State Public Works Department (PWD) started an anti-encroachment drive and demolished dwellings and shops there the following day.
During hearing of a petition filed by some residents of Vishalgad including Maqbul Ahmed Mujawar before Justices Burgess Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla, a Division bench asked the state why these structures were demolished during monsoon. “We make it clear not a single structure, be it commercial or a household one, to be brought down till further orders,” said the Bench.
The State Chief government pleader Priya bhushan Kakade informed the Court that only commercial spaces were razed while no structure under court’s stay order was touched at all. If there is any breach in this statement then court said that it will not hesitate to put the concerned officers into jail.
According to the petitioner, armed protesters with hammers were allowed to climb up onto the fort despite prohibitory orders being in force and police presence. It also mentioned miscreants raised communal slogans, roughed up locals including women and children and damaged vehicles.
Also Sunil Talekar who is counsel for petitioner presented video footage of violence in Court. He told judges that right wing organizations which call themselves “Shiv Bhakts” tried to destroy Raza Sunil Jama Masjid Gajapur near Vishalgad area; he said nothing was done by police.
Justice Colabawalla asked Mr. Kakade after watching the video, “Who are these men, they aren’t your officers? Isn’t maintaining law and order in the State your responsibility? Where is the law and order here?” The next hearing will be on July 29.
The Court went on to say, “We would like the Senior Police Inspector of Shahuwadi Police Station to remain present on the next occasion and explain to us what action, if any, the police have taken against the persons in the video shown to us today.” The next hearing will be on July 29.
