Maharashtra: 15 MNS activists acquitted in attack on rail exam centre

The prosecution had claimed that the men entered the centre with flags and sat outside the exam halls on the second floor demanding that north Indian candidates should not be allowed to take the exam.

None of the witnesses could identify the accused.

More than ten years after 15 activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were booked for attacking an examination centre in Mulund, a magistrate’s court acquitted them for “lack of evidence”.

The prosecution had claimed that the men entered the centre with flags and sat outside the exam halls on the second floor demanding that north Indian candidates should not be allowed to take the exam. Witnesses, including security guards at the centre, were examined. The guards told the court that 25 to 30 people had entered the hall on the day of the exam. But none of them could identify the accused.

“The prosecution has not examined any other witnesses from the exam centre. Apart from the allegations made in the FIR, the prosecution could not prove the case against the accused. No documentary evidence was submitted to even prove that an examination was on at the centre,” the court said while acquitting all the accused. It added that the guards were not even able to name the accused booked by the police.

On May 10, 2008, an exam was held at the T-ward office (Bhandup) of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for a skill test for the post of income tax assistant. At the centre, accused activists of MNS had allegedly entered the examination halls forcefully to register their protests claiming that Marathi candidates were inadequately represented in the exam. The protests were allegedly part of a campaign planned to attack north Indians considered “outsiders” appearing for various exams across the state.

The accused were booked under sections pertaining to house-trespass, assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty and unlawful assembly. In 2008, more than 200 candidates from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa had assembled for the exam, which was to begin at 9 am. But fifteen minutes before the exam, the accused had allegedly entered the centre in protest. The protesters also asked the witnesses to leave the centre, resulting in a scuffle.

Sadaf Modak

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

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