PUNE: A team from Pune rural police on Thursday is camping in Sangli for getting details about Shiv Pratishthan’s Founder Sambhaji Bhide, who is an accused in the Koregaon-Bhima violence of January 1.
However, Bhide had gone to attend a pre-decided programme in Shirala, Islampur. Officials said that a 20-member team is gathering details about the functioning of his organisation.
“He does not use a mobile phone. Therefore, it is difficult to pinpoint his location during the violence. We are finding out about his whereabouts during the violence and also details of his organisation members,” an officer from the rural police said.
Apart from Bhide, Samast Hindu Aghadi President Milind Ekbote of Pune is also an accused in the case. Ekbote has been arrested and currently lodged in Yerwada Central Jail.
Lakhs of people had gathered to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the famous battle between Peshwa army and the British forces at Koregaon-Bhima on January 1, when the violence took place. The violence left a man dead, several others injured and properties worth crores damaged in areas around Koregaon-Bhima, about 25 km from Pune on Ahmednagar highway.
Anita Sawale (30) of Kalewadi lodged an FIR with Pimpri police station on January 2.
The case was transferred to Shikrapur police station, under Pune rural police, as the incidents had taken place in their jurisdiction. Sawale and others were caught in the violence near Sanaswadi. Shikrapur police station registered the case against Bhide, Ekbote and their accomplices Yogesh Narhari Gavhane and Ganesh Bhausaheb Phadtare, both residents of Koregaon Bhima and one Anil Dave.
They have been charged for rioting, assault, unlawful assembly, attempt to murder, inciting violence among two groups under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the Schedules Caste and Schedules Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
