Uproar in Assembly

THE Maharashtra Assembly was once again plunged into turmoil with the Opposition forcing four adjournments within two hours demanding Director General of Police A N Roy8217;s removal ...

THE Maharashtra Assembly was once again plunged into turmoil with the Opposition forcing four adjournments within two hours demanding Director General of Police A N Roy8217;s removal in the wake of Friday8217;s judgment by a Bandra court directing the state to register an offence against Roy and six others for harassing RTI activist Rajkumar Awasthi.

Awasthi had moved the court against Roy and others following his acquittal by the High Court in a Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Acts case slapped against him for alleged extortion by the police when Roy was Mumbai Police Commissioner. Awasthi had unearthed many scams in Mumbai by extracting information using RTI. This had enraged the builders8217; lobby, who, in league with powers-that-be, had tried to frame him in an extortion case. The HC had, however, quashed the charges against Awasthi, following which he had moved the Bandra court seeking action against Roy and six junior policemen.

Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam sought to bring an adjournment motion on the issue, saying the Government must immediately remove Roy. The Speaker, however, didn8217;t allow Kadam8217;s adjournment motion. The Opposition continued to vociferously make its demands. With the Government not giving any response, the MLAs trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans against Roy. The House had to be adjourned four times within two hours.

Eknathrao Khadse of the BJP said, 8220;Why is he being shielded? Such a man with criminal bend of mind should immediately cease to be in his post.8221; Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal tried to mollify the Opposition, saying he will ask the minister concerned to make a statement in the House before the session gets over.

When the House reassembled after the fourth adjournment, Bhujbal said the Government will clarify the matter on Monday. The Opposition agreed, but maintained that the adjournment motion be allowed on Monday. The Speaker said he will give a ruling on Monday.