Ramabai Ngr rioting case: Eight let off

After constant agitation by the Dalit leaders,another case was registered against SRFP officer Manohar Kadam,who was convicted to life in 2009 by the sessions court and later his conviction was suspended by the HC.

The court on Wednesday acquitted Hiraman Gaikwad,Bapu Kolekar,Vijay Gaikwad,Ragunath Jadhav,Ramchandra Kadam,Sanjay Ahire,Ram Hire and Sudevi Giri for want of evidence. “Although the case is of 1997,the accused got to know of it only in 2005 when summons were issued against them. Three persons accused in this case have already died,” advocate Rajesh Karamkar said.

Giri (35) was among the injured in the 1997 firing. She was shot twice on her right hand at her doorstep while allegedly pulling her son in. “I only found out about the statue and the commotion when I reached the hospital. I was later accused of rioting. I am just glad that the court proved them (police) wrong,” she said.