Maharashtra Cabinet panel recommends withdrawal of charges against 77 applicants booked for agitations: Ashish Shelar

Principal Secretary of the Law and Judiciary Department Uday Shukla, Director of Prosecution Ashok Bhillare, Deputy Secretary of the Home Department Chetan Nikam, and several senior police officials from the state were present.

Shelar clarified that cases relating to crimes against women, serious offences, and personal or civil disputes cannot be pardoned under government policy. Therefore, such cases have been categorically rejected for withdrawal.

He further stated that, in six cases involving MLAs, former MLAs, MPs, and former MPs, as per government resolutions and the Supreme Court’s directives, the final decision will have to be taken by the Bombay High Court. Steps are being taken in this direction, he added.

“Out of the 201 applications received by the subcommittee, 77 have been recommended for reconsideration, and these cases will now be placed before regional committees chaired by deputy commissioners of police,” said Shelar.

He said that many activists, political party workers, protesters, and participants in ideological movements were unjustly booked in cases. It is the government’s duty to provide them relief from such unfounded cases, he added.

However, he said that anyone involved in serious cases would face consequences. Only cases based on merit that have not harmed anyone will be considered for pardon.

“Cases registered during events like Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Dahi Handi celebrations, social programmes held during the Covid-19 period, labour agitations and other such events will remain open for review on the basis of fresh applications,” said Shelar.

A new meeting will be convened soon. Before that, Ganeshotsav mandals, Navratri mandals, social organisations, union representatives, and activists need to submit their applications to the government, said the minister.