Mob lynching attempt of a 72 year old man in a train, Jitendra Awhad fights for justice! Court rejects bail of culprits after cancelling their bail bonds the Investigating Officer is permitted to arrest accused 1 to 3.
The cowardly incident of a failed attempt of mob lynching of a senior citizen Ashraf Ali Sayyad Hussain resident of Jalgaon district in Maharashtra, who was travelling by train 2 days ago on the suspicion that he was carrying beef, drew nationwide attention. Several national and regional leaders condemned this cowardly act of few misguided youths. Ashraf Ali was travelling by Dhule-CSMT Express to Kalyan to see his daughter, between Igatpuri & Kalyan a group of youth started checking his belongings, slapping, brutally kicking him on his private parts and were also filming this cowardly act. The main accused Ashu Avhad from Dhulia district of Maharashtra, whose father reportedly serves the State Reserve Police Force was on the forefront of the scene and commanding the situation. This incident took place on 28th August, after the video went viral on social media there were strong reactions among people.
Adhering to duty and honouring the oath, the GRP Commissioner Ravindra Shisve, ordered his department to trace out the victim. An Assistant Police Inspector from the Thane GRP was assigned the responsibility to find out the victim who succeeded in contacting him at his daughter’s residence. Ashraf Ali stated that at least five youth assaulted him. Police booked the case under sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 190 (being a member of unlawful assembly), 191(2) (rioting), 324(4)(5) (mischief causing loss or damage to the amount of Rs. 20,000 but less than 2 lakh rupees & mischief causing loss or damage to the amount of Rs. 1,00,000 or upwards), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (insult intended to provoke breach of peace) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS 2023). These sections which are applicable to crimes of minor intensity helped the accused to immediately get bail form the Thane Railway court. Thane Railway court released the accused on a bail of rupees 15000. This is the point where public is getting suspicious of police administration and feels dejected by the judiciary but judiciary decides on the basis of what is presented before the court.
Jitendra Awhad, dashing MLA from Mumbra-Kalwa Assembly constituency intervenes and fights for justice to Ashraf Ali
Immediate release of accused on bail after committing ghastly crime created despair and discontentment amongst the victim, his family and public. Jitendra Awhad stepped forward to fight for justice. He demanded that serious crimes should be registered against the culprits. He explained to the Investigating Officer as to how the act of snatching victims mobile phone, attempting to throw him out of the running train were not considered while writing the FIR. Sections of the BNS which, aptly fits to this ghastly crime were not applied to this case. Convinced by the argument of Jitendra Awhad the Investigating Officer re-recorded the statement of the victim and finally section 302 (Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings) and section 311 (Robbery or Dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the BNS were added to the case. The court on 2nd September cancelled Bail bonds of accused and permitted Investigation Officer to arrest the accused no.: 1 to 3.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who immediately joined and shared stage with Ramgiri Maharaj after his derogatory statement against holy Prophet Mohammad failed to express any concern over this third incident involving hate crime trying to flare communal tension in the state. This is the third incident in a row within a span of fifteen days in the state of Maharashtra still Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Dada Pawar too failed to issue any statement to uphold human and civic values and to spread a feeling of security amongst their state subjects.