Thread by @lawbarandbench

Member of Rajya Sabha and #NCP chief #SharadPawar appears before the #BhimaKoregaon judicial commission today for examination.

Adv Ashish Satpute appearing for the commission is examining him.

@PawarSpeaks

Pawar deposing: In recent times it has been observed that section 124A of IPC is often misused against people. I have explained in my affidavit… it is invoked to suppress their liberty and tend to stifle any voice of dissent raised in a peaceful and democratic way. #SharadPawar

Pawar: I propose to raise this issue at appropriate forum like Parliament being Member of Rajyasabha.
If any political leader address the people and his speech is likely to cause disturbance to the law and order then that leader should be responsible for the consequences.

Pawar: It will be proper if a place is earmarked for holding political social protests… to facilitate them to hold such programs so that the common man isn't put to inconvenience… #SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Pawar: …and it can also act as a safeguard to public and private property as such programs if turn violent can be conveniently managed by the police machinery which is responsible for maintainin law and order.

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Retired Justice JN Patel: In #BhimaKoregaon, there were anti-social elements that started the riots…

Pawar: It is the responsibility of the police to maintain law and order, also take steps to prevent anti-social elements from infiltrating…

#SharadPawar

Pawar: …and causing disturbance to any such peaceful demonstration.

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Satpute: Should the commission call leaders like Uddhav Thackeray, Devendra Fadnavis, Prakash Ambedkar and even Ramdas Athawale for ensuring there isn't such situation again in future?

#BhimaKoregaon #SharadPawar

Pawar: The commission is at liberty to summon persons who can be helpful in suggesting measures to prevent repitition of riots in the state.

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Pawar was examined by Adv Niteen Pradhan appearing for Milind Ekbote.

Adv Bansode appearing for Tukaram Pawar questions: Do you know Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote?

Pawar: I do not know them personally I have only read about them through media.

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Pawar’s lawyer and Pradhan object to questions about Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote's ideologies.
Request for cross examination to stick to the affidavits.

#BhimaKoregaon #SharadPawar

Another witness Harshali Potdar: I was forced to answer questions which were about personal ideology, and facts outside the affidavit. Still I answered each and every question.

#BhimaKoregaon #SharadPawar

Pawar: I came to know about the incident on January 1, 2018 through media. After constitution of the Commission of Inquiry (present commission), I received notice requesting me to give my suggestions in the matter in accordance with the Terms of Reference…

#SharadPawar

Pawar: accordingly I have filed my affidavit before the commission which contains all the necessary information available with me.

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Another lawyer asks: Whether you have stated in the press that the investigation done by the Police regarding the Elgar Parishad is a stigma on the police department?

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Pawar: #BhimaKoregaon and Elgar Parishad are two different episodes. In respect of cases filed by the police relating to Elgar Parishad…

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Pawar: I have stated that it was not correct or proper on part of police have filed cases against certain persons who were not present at the Elgar Parishad held on December 31, 2017 at Shanivarvada, Pune.

#BhimaKoregaon #SharadPawar

Lawyer: I put it to you that you have recommended for constituting an SIT for probing the role of police in the faulty probe of Elgar Parishad.

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Pawar: The incident of #BhimaKoregaon and Elgar Parishad are two different and separate issues. I am aware that an eminent Judge late Justice PB Sawant, former judge of #SupremeCourt was to preside over Elgar, I feel that there was nothing wrong could have taken place.

Pawar: The speeches in Elgar Parishad may have been an outrcy against oppression and atrocities committed against weaker section, which does not amount to committing any offence under law.

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon

Pradhan reads Pawar’s affidavit: While making this statement, you didn't had any personal knowledge about the incident which you have referred to in the first para and your information was only based on press reports and other sources and it was a hearsay.

#SharadPawar

Pawar: it is correct. I have filed the said affidavit in October 2018 and in January 2018 some offences came to be registered at Police station Shikrapur i.e. 2 crime number and one at Pimpri Police Station.

#SharadPawar #BhimaKoregaon