‘Was it political encounter?’ Oppn netas demand action

Mumbai: State NCP-SP president Jayant Patil on Monday alleged that law and order situation in the state has collapsed in view of large-scale violence sponsored by a section of cabinet members and stringent observations of the court-appointed committee in the Badlapur encounter case.Patil expressed surprise over rampant violence, and that too sponsored by a section of cabinet over the post of guardian ministers. "It has never happened in the past in the state. Supporters of cabinet members are indulging in violence for the post of guardian ministers," Patil said. Opposition leaders Nana Patole, Anil Deshmukh and Aaditya Thackeray also sought action in the killing of Badlapur sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde after a magistrate's inquiry held five policemen responsible for the custodial death. NCP (SP) leader and former state home minister Anil Deshmukh said he had always suspected foul play. "How can someone with no knowledge of firearms snatch a police pistol and use it? The state government must conduct a detailed inquiry into the encounter. It is must be known why it was carried out and to shield whom," Deshmukh said. Deshmukh claimed the Badlapur school was run by people close to the BJP.Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the incident was shameful, adding that the state government was shielding the accused by not letting the truth behind it come out. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray asked if it was a "political encounter", and done ahead of the (assembly) polls (which took place in November) for political gains. Pti & tnnMumbai: State NCP-SP president Jayant Patil on Monday alleged that law and order situation in the state has collapsed in view of large-scale violence sponsored by a section of cabinet members and stringent observations of the court-appointed committee in the Badlapur encounter case.Patil expressed surprise over rampant violence, and that too sponsored by a section of cabinet over the post of guardian ministers. "It has never happened in the past in the state. Supporters of cabinet members are indulging in violence for the post of guardian ministers," Patil said. Opposition leaders Nana Patole, Anil Deshmukh and Aaditya Thackeray also sought action in the killing of Badlapur sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde after a magistrate's inquiry held five policemen responsible for the custodial death. NCP (SP) leader and former state home minister Anil Deshmukh said he had always suspected foul play. "How can someone with no knowledge of firearms snatch a police pistol and use it? The state government must conduct a detailed inquiry into the encounter. It is must be known why it was carried out and to shield whom," Deshmukh said. Deshmukh claimed the Badlapur school was run by people close to the BJP.Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the incident was shameful, adding that the state government was shielding the accused by not letting the truth behind it come out. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray asked if it was a "political encounter", and done ahead of the (assembly) polls (which took place in November) for political gains. Pti & tnn