Police should abandon religious prejudices as soon as they wear uniform, Supreme Court's harsh comment on Akola riot case

News Topical, Digital Desk : The Supreme Court on Thursday said that when police officers wear uniform, they should give up their personal and religious prejudices. The court has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged murder in the 2023 communal riots in Akola, Maharashtra.

A bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma strongly criticized the Maharashtra Police for not registering an FIR in this case and for negligence in duty. The bench directed the Secretary of the State Home Department to form an SIT of senior police officers from Hindu and Muslim communities to register an FIR and investigate.

Police should give up their religious prejudices as soon as they wear the uniform: Court

"Needless to say, when members of the police force wear their uniform, they have to give up their personal prejudices and tendencies, whether religious, racial, casteist or otherwise. They must be faithful to the duty attached to their post and uniform with utmost devotion. Unfortunately, that did not happen in this case," the bench said.

Communal riots took place in Akola in May, 2023

In May, 2023, a communal riot took place in the old city area of ​​Akola. A person named Vilas Mahadevrao Gaikwad died in the incident and eight people, including the petitioner in the case, Mohd Afzal Mohd Sharif, were injured. According to Sharif, four people attacked Gaikwad with swords, iron pipes and other objects. The petitioner said that the four attackers also damaged his vehicle and hit him on the head and neck with their weapons. He was admitted to the hospital and the police recorded his statement, but no FIR was registered.

Approached the court when FIR was not registered

Sharif, through his father, moved the Bombay High Court against the police officials for not registering an FIR. However, the High Court rejected his plea, 'doubting Sharif's integrity'. On the other hand, the Maharashtra Police argued that Sharif's claim of being an eyewitness during the investigation was never confirmed. It claimed that he was reported to be admitted in the hospital. But, when an officer went there, the petitioner was not in a position to speak.

Orders for disciplinary action against guilty police officers

Coming down heavily on the police officers, the Supreme Court directed the Secretary to initiate appropriate disciplinary action against all the erring police officers for not performing their duties. "Steps will also be taken to instruct and sensitize all the officers of the police department as to what the law expects of them in the discharge of their duties. The investigation report of the SIT to be constituted as per the direction of this Court shall be submitted before this Court within three months from today," the bench said.

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