State to go soft on Govindas

A day after the Thane police charged 23 Govinda mandals — which allegedly flouted Supreme Court guidelines regarding Dahi Handi celebrations on Thursday — with attempt to commit culpable homicide under section 308 of the Indian Penal Code, the BJP went defensive with Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar urging chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to drop such “serious” charges.

DCP, Thane police, Abhishekh Trimukhe on Friday said his department might take action against MNS chief Raj Thackeray if the probe found any grounds for doing so.

Mr Shelar on Saturday sent a letter to the CM demanding that “serious” IPC sections invoked by the police against Dahi Handi groups for alleged violation of SC directions be dropped. Criminal cases have been registered against 23 mandals in Thane including the organisers.

The Thane police has added section 308 to charges against Govindas of these mandals and their organisers. Mr Trimukhe said, “We have registered cases against Govindas and organisers who flouted the rules and registered cases against them under sections 308, 336, 188 and 34.”

After the SC put a cap on the height of human pyramids (not above 20 feet) and restricted minors below 18 from participating in Dahi Handi celebrations, Mr Thackeray allegedly called for celebrating the festival by ignoring SC guidelines. Asked if the police had taken any action against Mr Thackeray, Mr Trimukhe said, “Govindas listened to what he said and went against the court law, so we registered a case against them. During the investigation, if we find anything against Mr Thackeray, we will take action against him.”