Maharashtra cop assault: CCTVs won’t help identify attackers

CCTV footage will not be useful in identifying those who attacked traffic cop Sachin Suryavanshi on the first-floor lobby of Vidhan Bhavan on March 19, and that the police as well as the probe panel appointed by the state legislature will have to look at other ways to make a strong case. Surendra P Gangan and Naresh Kamath report.

It is almost certain that CCTV footage will not be useful in identifying those who attacked traffic cop Sachin Suryavanshi on the first-floor lobby of Vidhan Bhavan on March 19, and that the police as well as the probe panel appointed by the state legislature will have to look at other ways to make a strong case.

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There are more than 10 cameras installed in the circular lobbies on the ground and first floor of Vidhan Bhavan, and the attack fell within the range of four of them.

The attackers came from the ground floor and found the cop sitting outside the cabin of deputy chairman of council Vasant Davkhare on the first floor.

As he tried to escape, the group chased him down the corridor for about 70 meters and caught him outside the office of leader of the opposition in the council Vinod Tawde.

The lobby has two cameras near the staircase, but they are not focused on the corridor, while the two installed outside Tawde’s office were not working at the time of the attack.

At least two cameras captured the attackers near the ground floor exit, but there are doubts whether this footage would be sufficient to nail them.