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Journalism of Courage
The High Court on Monday rejected an anticipatory bail application (ABA) filed by a newly-elected corporator from Govandi.
Claiming that he was a victim of political rivalry,Shiv Sena corporator Dinesh Panchal had moved the high court after a sessions court rejected his application on March 13. He stated that an FIR was registered against him and four others under charges of unlawful assembly,rioting with weapons,causing grievous hurt,at the instance of Shashikant Patil,the erstwhile Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporator,who lost the seat to Panchal in the February civic elections.
While two were arrested in the case,two others were granted anticipatory bail by the sessions court. The complaint was lodged by NCPs Mahendra Benarji on February 15 ,a day before the elections,claiming that Panchal and four of his partymen assaulted NCP workers with bamboos,belts and other weapons.
In his bail application,Panchal contended that Patil was distributing sarees and money amongst voters a day before the election,and opposition from his party workers led to the alleged scuffle. He,however,stated that all the charges pressed against him were bailable. Panchal said the sarees and cash were seized by the Trombay police,which registered a separate case in the matter.
Addl public prosecutor Rajeshree Gadhvi,however,said if Panchal found that election norms were flouted he should have informed the election commission and not take law into his own hands. ens
