SIT set up to probe killing of journalist in Ratnagiri

Warishe’s brother-in-law had lodged a complaint at a local police station alleging foul play in the incident.

The SIT probe was ordered following pressure from the Opposition and NGOs. It will be headed by a senior officer and the government has sought an independent report on Warishe’s death.

Accusing the government about not being serious about the law and order situation in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said on Saturday, “The issue is serious and the case should be thoroughly probed.”

His nephew and party colleague Ajit Pawar told media persons in Aurangabad, “The state government should investigate the case thoroughly to ascertain the facts. If media persons doing their work are subjected to such fatal attacks, it exposes the state administration and police force.”

“The state government cannot be complacent. It has to act quickly. Those responsible for committing such grave crimes have to be punished. What are the police doing? Are they sleeping?” he said.

Earlier, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had also urged Fadnavis to order a probe. In a letter to Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, Raut said, “Shashikant Warishe was exposing illegal land transactions worth millions of rupees which were acquired from villagers in Nanar and around in the name of an oil refinery. Those involved in land transactions were upset. It was not an accident as it is being made up. Warishe was murdered. The police should investigate the mastermind behind this attack and punish them.”

Warishe had been covering issues related to the setting up of the Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd in Barsu. On February 6, Warishe was standing near a petrol pump when Amberkar allegedly mowed him down with his SUV. The vehicle dragged Warishe for several metres, leaving him badly injured. He succumbed to his injuries a day later.

Warishe’s family members alleged that he met with an accident hours after he had written an article against the oil refinery and land transactions.