Investigation over, case against Jitendra Awhad cannot be transferred to CBI, says Maharashtra govt

Maharashtra government told Bombay High Court that investigation in an assault case against minister Jitendra Awhad is over and the case cannot be transferred to the CBI.

Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, Advocate General of Maharashtra, on Wednesday took preliminary objection to the maintainability of the petition filed by a Thane resident, Anant Karmuse, in connection with an assault case involving minister Jitendra Awhad.

While addressing the bench of Justices PB Varale and SM Modak, Kumbhakoni said, "Chargesheet is filed and charges are already framed against the accused. When the investigation is over, then at this juncture the investigation cannot be transferred to CBI. The grievance of the petitioner can be raised before the Magistrate court."

However, Karmuse's lawyer Subhash Jha vehemently made a case for maintainability and grant of prayers which include transfer of the case registered at Vartak Nagar Police station in Thane to CBI.

It was in 2020 that Karmuse approached Bombay High Court. However, due to the pandemic, the petition finally came up for hearing today.

Kamuse's pleaded for Maharashtra cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad's name to be included as an accused in the FIR lodged by the Thane police. The court was informed that Awhad was subsequently added as an accused by police during the investigation. He is accused number 13 in the case. Awhad was subsequently arrested in the case too, but Jha pointed out, "The minister had got bail in 20 minutes. It just took 20 minutes."

Karmuse's case is that on April 5, 2020, he had put up a social media post in which Awhad's photo was superimposed on another photo. This allegedly did not go down well with the Maharashtra cabinet minister and some policemen reached Karmuse's doorstep on that very day.

READ | Maharashtra minister Jitendra Awhad arrested in connection with assault case, released later