Nawab Malik accuses Centre of 'shielding someone' by transferring Bhima Koregaon case

After Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut wrote an editorial in Sena's mouthpiece Saamana attacking Central government for its interference in affairs of Maharashtra after transfer of Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad cases to NIA, Maha Vikas Aghadi government's cabinet minister Nawab Malik also slammed Centre for transferring probe to NIA.

While interacting with a news ncy on Wednesday, Nawab Malik accused  previous Maharashtra BJP government for having a role in planning  Bhima-Koregaon riots. 

"Two years ago, Bhima-Koregaon riots were planned by n ruling party. After that incident, a huge protest was re in state of Maharashtra. government had to face people's anger in Maharashtra," Malik said.

Adding furr to his statement, he also claimed that complaint made by BJP regarding incident in Pune to be fake. "BJP made a complaint in Pune that Bhima-Koregaon incident happened due to Elgar Parishad. It was a fake complaint."  

"As government has changed in Maharashtra, Centre has transferred this case to NIA to shield someone," Malik added. 

READ | Bhima Koregaon case: Sena lambasts Centre's interference, alleges plan to stifle truth

Sanjay Raut lambasts Center 

Taking to Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamana, Sena MP Sanjay Raut alleged that rationale behind Modi government’s move was to stifle truth and protect certain individuals.

Sanjay Raut wrote, “ Centre forcefully transferred Elgar Parishad probe to NIA because it wanted to stifle truth and wanted to save someone. This is an assault on rights and self-respect of states. India is a quasi-federal country. Many such incidents are taking place in BJP-ruled states. Why does Centre t interfere re? Union Home Ministry burned midnight oil to ensure that state does t get a Chief Minister from Shiv Sena. y misused Raj Bhavan, but thing happened.” 

editorial also ted fact that BJP was losing its hold in many states across country. Maintaining that Centre had tried to murder democracy, he asserted that citizens had foiled this design. Furrmore, Shiv Sena MP warned against misuse of investigative ncies to put pressure on states.  

READ | Bhima Koregaon twist: Ajit Pawar differs from NCP stance, appreciates Pune police probe

Bhima Koregaon violence and subsequent arrests

Violence had erupted at Koregaon-Bhima vill in Pune district on January 1, 2018, where supporters had gared to commemorate 200th anniversary of Battle of Bhima Koregaon. This resulted in death of one person and left several injured. Subsequently,  Pune police arrested activists such as Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira, and Vern Gonsalves, Surendra Gadling, Sudhir Dhawale and P Varavara Rao for allegedly inciting Bhima Koregoan violence through ir speech at Elgar Parishad meeting on December 31, 2017.    

READ | Bhima Koregaon: Maharashtra government seeks legal action against transfer of cases to NIA

READ | Bhima Koregaon: Pawar slams Centre for transfer of cases to NIA, alleges ‘malafide intent’