Court refuses to grant protection from arrest to NCP leader in Maratha quota violence case

A court in Rajgurunagar in Pune district Friday refused to give protection from arrest to former NCP MLA Dilip Mohite, whose name cropped up in connection with violence which took place during an agitation for Maratha quota in July last year.

Mohite had approached Khed court seeking anticipatory bail in the case.

Over 60 vehicles, including public transport buses, were vandalised and torched by protesters during the violence in Chakan, an industrial hub 40 kilometres from Pune, on July 30.

Property worth over Rs 8 crore was also damaged in the violence.

Over 4,000 people were booked and 105 arrested by Pune Rural police.

Additional Sessions Judge A M Ambalkar Friday refused to grant Mohite protection from arrest, said his lawyer Harshad Nimbalkar, adding they would approach the Bombay High Court now.

Sources in Pimpri Chinchwad police, which is probing the violence, said Mohite's role as alleged instigator of the July 30 violence came up after some people were questioned.