Mumbai riots: Deshmukh says no proof against Bal Thackeray

At a time when individuals and organisations are seeking implementation of the Srikrishna Commission report on the 1992-93 Mumbai riots and demanding action against those behind the riots, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has given a clean chit to Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, saying there is no evidence against him.
“There is a reference to Balasaheb Thackeray (in the Srikrishna report), but there is no evidence (against him),” Deshmukh told The Indian Express while speaking on his government’s three years in office. “We can’t make out cases just like that. We have to go by legal advice. Deposition with a commission of inquiry is not admissible in a court of law.”
On Bal Thackeray and the Shiv Sena, the Srikrishna Commission had this to say: “There is no doubt that the Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sainiks took lead in organising attacks on Muslims and their properties, from the level of Shakha Pramukhs to Shiv Sena Pramukh Bal Thackeray, who like a veteran general, commanded his loyal Shiv Sainiks to retaliate by organised attacks against Muslims.”
According to Deshmukh, even Shiv Sena leader Madhukar Sarpotdar, booked for his alleged role in the riots, had been acquitted. “When I took over the reins of the state (during his first stint as CM from 1999 to 2003), we had formed a special task force to examine the cases and send them to court... it takes time. We were required to work afresh on these cases with a view to collect clinching evidence.”
He said while that the commission took five years to complete the inquiry and the Sena-BJP government (from 1995 to 1999) had cast aside the report, his government had been instrumental in reviving the matter. He reiterated that his government was committed to take action as per recommendations of the report and would do everything possible to bring the culprits to book.
The Deshmukh government had appointed a committee to examine cases registered with the commission. The panel recommended 32 most serious cases for trial by special courts. Four special courts were appointed by the High Court last week on the request of the state.