30 cases against MLAS and followers to be withdrawn

The cases are referred to us only after screening by the districtand state-level committees of the police. We have made our decision but the courts take the final call. SUDHIR MUNGANTIWAR, finance minister and head of the high-power committee

MUMBAI: The state government on Tuesday decided to withdraw 30 cases registered against several elected representatives and their followers, who were involved in political and social agitations. Some of the cases date back to 2005.

The move comes after a highpower committee of ministers – headed by finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar – met and discussed the possibility of withdrawing 45 cases registered against MLAS.

The committee rejected withdrawal of 15 cases.

Of the 45 cases that came up for discussion, 15 were against Bachhu Kadu, the 48-year-old independent MLA from Achalpur, alone. Nine cases registered against him were dropped. “They included my agitations in support of farm pond subsidy, the physically handicapped and anganwadis,” said Kadu. “In one case, I have been convicted with an eight-month jail term for manhandling police [personnel]. I have appealed against the conviction.”

The Devendra Fadnavis government, after coming to power in 2014, had announced its decision to withdraw cases registered between May 2005 and November 2014.

“Approvals were given to withdraw cases registered against current and former MLAS,” said a home department official, who did not wish to be named, adding that the committee could not agree to withdrawal of all 45 cases, as some involved huge loss to public property.

“But some were personal in nature and lacked a larger social interest.”

If there was no loss of life or loss to property of more than ₹5 lakh, the official said, the committee recommended the cases to be withdrawn.

Local police have moved the state government’s proposal before the courts in which the 30 trials are currently taking place.

“The cases are referred to us only after screening by the districtand state-level committees of the police. Although our committee has made its decision, the final call is taken by the courts,” said Mungantiwar.