Koregaon Bhima violence: State opposes plea to have Sharad Pawar depose again

Along with his application, Ambedkar had attached a news report, which stated that Pawar’s letter to Uddhav Thackeray demanded the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the Koregaon-Bhima violence and accused the Fadnavis government of protecting the conspirators.

Ambedkar had requested the commission to pass an order asking Pawar to submit a copy of this letter that had been given to Uddhav Thackeray along with related documents. Ambedkar had also requested the commission that if required, Pawar should be called again to depose as a witness.

The Commission had then directed SPP Shishir Hiray, who represents the state, to file a say on Ambedkar’s application. Accordingly, Hiray filed his say before the commission on Tuesday, claiming that the content in Ambedakar’s application was false and based on hearsay and allegations made in a news report.

Hiray stated that Sharad Pawar had deposed before the Commission in Mumbai on May 5, 2022 and was examined by different lawyers.

Hiray stated that Pawar had himself never mentioned about a letter that was sent to Uddhav Thackeray — as claimed by Ambedkar — before the commission.

Hiray also stated the government did not have any such documents that Ambedkar had sought. Hiray said the Commission was granted an extension till May 31 to complete its work. He added that Ambedkar had filed his application at this stage to delay the Commission’s work.

While submitting that there was no need for Pawar to depose as witness again, Hiray called Ambedkar’s application an attempt of “sensationalisation” to achieve political motives. Hiray stated that Ambedkar never made this demand (to call Pawar) in the past, ever since the Commission had been formed.

Hiray demanded that Ambedkar’s application, filed during the last stage of final arguments before the Commission, should be rejected.

Commission’s secretary V V Palnitkar said the matter has been kept for argument on Wednesday. Prakash Ambedkar is also likely to appear before the Commission for arguments.

The two member Commission headed by retired high court justice J N Patel was formed by the state government on February 9, 2018 for probing the causes of the violence in Pune’s Koregaon Bhima area on January 1, 2018, in which one person had died and several others were left injured. Former bureaucrat Sumit Mallick was appointed the second member of the commission.

The Commission currently conducts its hearings in Pune for final arguments by lawyers representing different witnesses to be submitted. The Commission has recorded evidence of over 50 witnesses, who include villagers from Koregaon Bhima, Vadhu Budruk, police and government officials.