By Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court has severely criticised Maharashtra police for conducting a biased investigation into the 2023 communal riots in Akola. The apex court said the police acted unfairly by protecting real culprits falsely implicating innocent members of the Muslim community, further deepening their suffering and fear.
The communal violence had erupted in May 2023 following an objectionable social media post insulting the Prophet Muhammad. The violence had triggered tension across the country, disturbing peace and harmony.
A division bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and SC Sharma observed that wearing the police uniform means working without religious or caste prejudice. “A police officer, once in uniform, must rise above religion, caste or any bias and work only according to the law,” the bench remarked.
The court ordered formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the entire case afresh. Importantly, the bench instructed that this SIT must include senior officers from both Hindu and Muslim communities to restore public faith in the investigation.
“Fairness is the backbone of justice. If police target innocents while shielding real culprits, it destroys trust in the system,” the bench said.
The order came on a petition filed by Mohammad Afzal Mohammad Sharif, who claimed he was present at the spot on 13 May, 2023, when an auto-rickshaw driver was killed during the riots that broke out over a social media post. Sharif was also assaulted by two of the assailants who allegedly killed the auto driver.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
