New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising both Hindu and Muslim officers to investigate the May 2023 communal violence in Akola, Maharashtra. The order followed a petition that accused the Maharashtra Police of bias and failure to investigate an assault case involving 17-year-old petitioner, Mohd Afzal Mohd Sharif.
The riots in Akola erupted on May 13, 2023, after a social media post triggered clashes. One person, identified as Vilas Mahadevrao Gaikwad, was killed. Eight others, including two policemen, were injured. The petitioner alleged he was severely assaulted during the violence and was admitted to hospital, where police recorded his statement. However, despite being aware of the assault, officers did not register a case or investigate.
The plea also sought civil and criminal action against the concerned police officials, citing dereliction of duty and biased handling of the communal clashes. Earlier, the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench had dismissed the petition on July 25, 2024, refusing to grant relief.
A bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe criticized the state police, emphasizing that officers must perform their duties without religious or caste-based bias. The court directed the Maharashtra Home Secretary to constitute the SIT with senior officers from both Hindu and Muslim communities to ensure impartiality in the probe.
This marks a significant judicial intervention aimed at restoring faith in law enforcement processes during communal conflict.
