Maharashtra Forms Judicial Committees to Probe Deaths of Beed Sarpanch and Dalit youth

Suryavanshi, 35, died at a state-run hospital in Parbhani on December 15 while in judicial custody, days after he was arrested in connection with violence in Parbhani over the desecration of the glass-encased replica of the Constitution.

Mumbai — The Maharashtra government on Wednesday formed two one-member judicial committees to investigate the deaths of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog in Beed district, and Dalit protester Somnath Suryavanshi in Parbhani.

The committees were formed after the government released a resolution late Tuesday. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had promised judicial probes into the incidents during the state assembly’s winter session in December.

Retired Bombay High Court Justice M.L. Tahaliyani will head the committee investigating Deshmukh’s murder. The committee’s terms of reference include examining the sequence of events, identifying any individuals or organizations responsible, evaluating the police’s preparedness and response, and recommending short- and long-term measures for the future. The committee will be based in Beed and is expected to submit its report within six months.

Retired Bombay High Court Justice V.L. Achliya will lead the inquiry into Suryavanshi’s death. The committee will investigate the events surrounding the Dec. 10 violence in Parbhani following the desecration of a Constitution replica and Suryavanshi’s subsequent death in police custody. The committee will also examine the police’s response and make recommendations within six months. The committee will be based in Parbhani.

The Justice Tahaliyani committee can summon anyone, enter any building, or seize papers and accounts to find information about Santosh Deshmukh’s murder.

The announcement comes as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Walmik Karad, a close aide of NCP Minister Dhananjay Munde, under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) in connection with Deshmukh’s murder. Eight others have already been arrested and charged under the MCOCA in the case. The opposition has called for Munde’s resignation in light of the arrests.

Suryavanshi, 35, died in a Parbhani hospital on Dec. 15 while in custody, days after his arrest for violence involving the desecration of a glass-encased replica of the Constitution.

Courtesy : The Mooknayak

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