Ready to produce my journalist credentials: Patil

PUNE: Witness Chandrakant Patil, a freelance journalist, was cross-examined by advocate Kiran Channe after being administered the oath by Bhima Koregaon judicial commission lawyer Ashish Satpute.

Channe is the advocate for Ravindra Chandane and Amol Wankhede. Patil had last appeared before the commission on October 3 where he claimed that there were several historical inaccuracies related to battle of Bhima Koregaon. On being asked what documents he had to show that he worked for newspapers and TV channels, Patil said that he was ready to produce those documents if required.

When quizzed about the reason for doing research on the role of Maratha Light Infantry in Second World War, Patil said, “I was preparing a documentary ‘The Great Maratha’ and while doing research, I could have access to various documents in Belgaum. In my research I came across various documents related to Maratha Light Infantry. From these documents I came to know a major role played by Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) in the Second World War on foreign soil, particularly in Italy while fighting on behalf of the British Indian Army. “The most celebrated war was fought by Maratha Light Infantry on the bank of river Sineou in Italy against the Axis forces. “My research still continues on this subject and while doing research on the incident of January 1, 2018, my attention was drawn towards Jay Stambh at Bhima Koregaon and I expanded my research relating to battle of Bhima Koregaon,” he said. When asked about the reference books, persons and other material examined by him, Patil said that he had taken the interview of Hambirrao Baji Mohite, researched a book (Marathi Light Infantry and a Saga Service - History of First Battalion Maratha Light Infantry Jangi Paltan ) written by Jayant Kulkarni whose family member participated in the Second World War. He also quoted the list of other books written by Kulkarni, namely East Indian Military Calendar, History of Madras Army, Poona Affair, History of Maratha War, Maratha and Pindari war.

The Bhima Koregaon commission hearings are underway in Pune at its office located in the zilla parishad building at the Bund Garden chowk.

The state government-appointed two-member judicial commission is headed by former chief justice of Calcutta high court, justice Jai Narayan Patel, and has state chief secretary Sumit Mullick on it as well.