Anti-quota advocate assaulted outside HC

Minutes after the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court directed the Maharashtra government to ensure peace in the state, an advocate opposing Maratha reservation was assaulted and manhandled just outside the HC gate on Monday.

Advocate Gunaratan Sadavarte, after arguing before the bench of CJ Naresh Patil and Justice Makarand Karnik opposing Maratha reservation, stepped out of the court premises to speak to the media.

While he was giving his statement to the press, a man claiming to be a Maratha, suddenly came near him chanting, "Ek Maratha, lakh Maratha," and punched him.

Immediately after the assault, the man, identified as Vaijnath Patil from Jalna district, was taken into custody by police.

The incident was shocking because just a few minutes before it occurred, CJ Patil had said, "The government is duty-bound to inform citizens that this issue is now sub judice and before a court of law. The legality of this reservation will be tested in the court and not on the streets."

"The government has to ensure peace and harmony is maintained in the state. Ensure that everyone treats each other with dignity," CJ Patil had observed, before Sadavarte left his courtroom.

After the attack, Sadavarte rushed to CJ Patil's courtroom and informed him of the assault.

"From the day I filed this petition, I have been getting threat calls from Marathas. I have received over 1,000 threat calls in the last few days and I can submit this on record," Sadavrate told the bench. "Have even received a call from the MP, Udayan Raje Bhosale, threatening me. Two motorists had also clicked pictures of the building where I reside, the very next day after I filed the petition. In fact, I was even stalked by two men," Sadavarte claimed before the judges. CJ Patil then summoned Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni and directed him to provide police protection to Sadavarte and his family. "This should not happen. This is a most unfortunate incident, that an advocate was assaulted for his petition," CJ Patil said. "You (AG) make these people (Marathas) aware that resorting to violence will not resolve the issue. This court will hear the matter and decide the legality. Such an incident should not be repeated," CJ Patil warned.