DGP defends convicted cop, angers Dalits

Dalit outfits have reacted strongly to state Director General of Police S.S. Virk’s comment that Manohar Kadam — convicted of ordering the firing on a Dalit mob that killed 10 people and injured 35 — was a “victim of the system”.

A court had last week sentenced Kadam to life imprisonment.

The Dalit outfits demanded that Virk be sacked immediately and a case be filed against him for contempt of court. “How can the top cop of the state make such a statement,” said former MP and Peoples’ Republican Party president Jogendra Kawade.

Kawade said he would meet Chief Minister Ashok Chavan soon and seek action against Virk. “How can a senior police officer justify the firing on a Dalit mob that took several lives,” he asked, ridiculing Virk for his “insensitive” attitude.

Kadam, a sub-inspector, had ordered firing on a rampaging mob at Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar on July 11, 1997, after a bust of Dr Ambedkar was found desecrated.