Probe against Trivedi transferred to special investigation team

After facing flak for the arrest of cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, the the Mumbai police administration has transferred the investigation to a special investigation team (SIT), which will be headed by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP).

After facing flak for the arrest of cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, the the Mumbai police administration has transferred the investigation to a special investigation team (SIT), which will be headed by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP).

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Namdev Chavan, deputy commissioner of police, zone 8, told HT on Wednesday that the SIT was being headed by ACP GT Paudwal, who would be assisted by a team of five officers. “This is an important case and hence should be investigated by a senior officer,” said Chavan.

Sources in the BKC police division said the SIT had been asked to collect evidence against Trivedi. “We will also probe what his intentions were by showing institutions and symbol of national pride in an inappropriate manner,” a source said.

“The SIT report [which will be in the form of the charge sheet in the case] will be prepared following due analysis and scrutiny of facts. Legal opinion would be sought over the tenability of the charges as per the findings, before it is submitted before the court,” said the source.

While speaking to media, Dr Satyapal Singh, commissioner of police, said, “The investigation has been handed over to an ACP rank officer and we will soon decide if the charge of sedition has to dropped. We have been asked by the government to review of the case and if there is any mistake on our part they have asked us to correct it,” he added.

Singh said an advocate had filed a complaint after which an FIR was registered. “Technically, one cannot say there was any mistake on part of the police. The home minister has asked for review by senior officials and we are doing it.”