Maharashtra: Party workers will pay for vandalism

Acting on a decision it took in January, the Maharashtra government will withdraw police cases filed against political workers for social and political agitations, but if there has been vandalism, those involved will have to pay.

Acting on a decision it took in January, the Maharashtra government will withdraw police cases filed against political workers for social and political agitations, but if there has been vandalism, those involved will have to pay.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative Council on Wednesday that the state had formed committees in every district to study the cases and then withdraw them.

“For losses less than Rs 5 lakh caused during an agitation, the amount will be recovered from the perpetrators and their cases will be then be withdrawn,” Fadnavis said, but added, “Cases will not be taken back if the perpetrators have damaged property that is worth more than Rs 5 lakh, or if they have stolen money or are involved in property related matters.”

The committees have also been asked to file a status report every month. “We have regularly asked the committees how many meetings they have conducted and the number of people they have released,” the CM said.