(The Times of India, 8 Jul 2008, 2026 hrs IST,PTI)
Mumbai riots case: Judge to deliver verdict tomorrow
MUMBAI: A special riots court here will deliver its judgement tomorrow in the case against former Shiv Sena leader Madhukar Sarpotdar accused in the 1992-93 Mumbai riots.
Magistrate R C Bapat Sarkar completed hearing the defence and prosecution's arguments and will pass the judgement on Wednesday.
Sarpotdar and five other Shiv Sainiks have been accused of inciting violence and enmity between two religious groups during the 1992-93 Muslim Hindu riots in Mumbai.
On December 27, 1992 Sarpotdar had allegedly led a mob of 5,000 people from Ganesh Utsav Samiti Mandal in suburban Kherwadi area.
According to the prosecution, the mob had chanted anti-Muslim slogans and held placards that read "Terror of Shiv Sena is the only saviour for mankind," leading to stone pelting in the area.
The prosecution further argued that the procession was to gain political mileage under the garb of religion and it violated the order of the police commissioner, restricting the assembly of more than five persons for security reasons.
The defence advocate, however, argued that it was only a religious procession, which did not require permission from the police commissioner.
"The incident occurred in the afternoon of December 27 and the FIR was registered on the night of December 29," advocate Bagoria appearing for Sarpotdar argued on Tuesday.