A testimony by a former police officer led to the arrests of former Shiv Sena leader Madhukar Sarpotdar and two party workers yesterday, for making inflammatory speeches and inciting violence during the 1992-93 communal riots in Mumbai.

Madhav Khanolkar was on duty as a police inspector when Sarpotdar led a mob of over 200 people towards a local Ganesh temple and made derogatory remarks against Muslims following the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

Khanolkar testified yesterday before a special magistrate court. His testimony was crucial as the investigating officer of the case is dead and five other witnesses had turned hostile. One of them, Pandurang Tayde, even told the court he couldn't remember anything, ever since he met with an accident in 2004.

Khanolkar to depose in Munde case too

Khanolkar later became assistant commissioner of police and now leads a retired life in his village Salgaon in Sindhudurg district. He may have to return to the city to depose in one more case this time pertaining to senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde.

Khanolkar told the court yesterday that on December 27, 1992, a mob from the Ganesh Utsav Samiti Mandal gathered near the Ganesh temple in Kherwadi. He said Sarpotdar, K P Naik and Ramesh Pawar were present along with the trustees of the temple. Khanolkar says the trio from the Shiv Sena made inflammatory speeches after carrying out a procession in the area.

Khanolkar told the court, "The speeches were regarding the demolition of Babri Masjid and that the government was taking sides with Muslims and harassing Hindus."

He said the mob carried placards with slogans like Mandir wahin banega (Temple will be built there only), Is desh main rehna hain toh Vande Mataram kehna hoga (If you want to stay in this country, you have to say 'Vande Mataram').

Judgment 

Based on his testimony and other collaborative evidences, the court yesterday convicted Sarpotdar, Ashok Shinde and Jaywant Parab under section 150 (A) for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.

The trio was sentenced to a one-year simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5,000 each. They were, however, later granted bail on a bond of Rs 5,000 each till August 16 after which they will be taken into custody.

However, the other accused, Umesha Pawar, former municipal corporator and Sena leader, Shantaram Sadwilkar and Pradeep Khanvilkar, trustees of the Ganesh temple, who took part in the procession, were acquitted due to lack of evidence.