Bombay HC asks Maharashtra to respond to writ alleging senior BJP leader’s role in Satara riots

A Satara resident has filed a criminal writ petition in the Bombay High Court, demanding action against Vikram Pawaskar, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra, alleging that he played a crucial role in an attack on a mosque in Satara in September.

On Friday, the Bombay High Court directed the state public prosecutor to file a response to the writ petition in two weeks. The court has also directed the police to ensure protection to the petitioner and witnesses in the case.

On the night of September 10, a mob of men torched vehicles, damaged properties and attacked a mosque in Pusesavali, 40 kms from Satara district headquarters. The attack killed 30-year-old civil engineer Nurul Hassan Liyaqat, who was survived by a pregnant wife and his parents.

The petition, which Scroll has seen, cited an eyewitness who claimed that Pawaskar, in a meeting held in Karad in August 2023, directed those present to target Muslims and planned an attack to damage their vehicles and property. Three other eyewitnesses alleged that the rioters loudly proclaimed Pawaskar’s instructions to target Muslim properties as they attacked the mosque on September 10.

Pawaskar is the state vice president of the BJP. Scroll emailed, sent a text message and called Pawaskar over the phone to...

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