PIMPRI: Shiv Sena MP from Maval Shrirang Barne, Bhagwan Valhekar, BJP’s Eknath Pawar, Namdev Dhake have been acquitted in a case concerning an agitation against unauthorised constructions in Pimpri Chinchwad.
The issue of illegal constructions in Pimpri Chinchwad had come to the fore 12 years ago. The civic administration had started demolishing unauthorised constructions and some citizens and daily wagers were going to become homeless. A huge morcha was taken out against the civic body’s action to the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai and Nagpur. Morchas were also carried out to PCMC and PCNTDA offices. FIRs had been registered against MP Shrirang Barne, the then Chief of BJP in PCMC Bhagwan Valhekar, BJP’s Eknath Pawar, Namdev Dhake at Maval and Pimpri police stations for stopping traffic on highway, gathering crowds, leading crowds and violating ban on gatherings.
A trial was underway at Vadgaon and Pimpri courts and hearings were being held since 10 years. Ad Sushil Mancharkar argued in the court that there were faults in the police investigation and lack of effective implementation of the ban on gathering of crowds. The court accepted the argument and acquitted MP Barne and four others.
“An agitation was held to ensure justice for those who had built illegal structures and scrapping of shasti kar (penalty tax). Although I had to approach the courts, I was able to give justice to those who had built illegal structures. We were successful in ensuring that the penalty tax was waived off,” said Shrirang Barne.
