Shashikant Warishe case: Deputy Chief Minister says that SIT will be formed under the leadership of high-ranking officer

 

Earlier on Friday, journalists in Mumbai protested near Mantralaya and demanded formation of SIT along with imposition of stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused.

Days after journalist Shashikant Warishe was murdered in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said a special investigation team will be set up to probe the matter.

Warishe was run over by an SUV allegedly driven by land dealer Pandhari Nath Ambarkar on February 6 and he died in hospital the next day.

According to reports, Ambarkar, who was arrested on the charge of murder, allegedly used to threaten anyone who opposed land acquisition for the proposed refinery in that area. An article written by Warish against Ambarkar appeared in a local Marathi newspaper on the morning of the incident, which took place near a petrol pump in Rajapur, about 440 km from Mumbai.

Fadnavis' office issued a statement saying that the police administration in the state has been directed to set up the SIT, which will be headed by a high-ranking officer.

Earlier on Friday, journalists in Mumbai protested near Mantralaya and demanded formation of SIT along with imposition of stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday expressed concern over the killing of journalist Shashikant Warishe and said law and order situation in Maharashtra was deteriorating while the seriousness of those in power was in doubt.

"Warise case is a serious issue. Accidents and murders are increasing in the state. Law and order situation is deteriorating in the state. Doubt how seriously those responsible for law and order situation take it." Pawar said.