May 6th 2024.
The Supreme Court of India has recently issued a directive to the Maharashtra government regarding the implementation of their previous orders. These orders include the resolution of pending cases, provision of compensation to the families of the victims of the 1992 Mumbai riots, and the implementation of police reforms. The court, consisting of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, expressed their disappointment over the lack of compliance from the state government, as per their previous judgment on November 4, 2022.
In light of this, the court has directed the Director General of Police and the Secretary of the State Home Department to thoroughly review the recommendations made by the Justice B N Srikrishna Commission and submit a report of their compliance by July 19, 2024. Furthermore, the court has fixed a hearing on the matter for July 26.
The court also highlighted the issue of housing for the 2.30 lakh police personnel in the state and has directed the state government to take necessary steps to provide suitable dwelling units for them. It is worth mentioning that a commission was set up by the state government on January 25, 1993, under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, headed by Justice Srikrishna to look into the circumstances, events, and causes of the Mumbai riots that occurred after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh on December 6, 1992.
The court, in their previous judgment, had accepted the recommendations made by the commission and had issued a set of instructions to the state government. These instructions included providing details of 97 dormant cases to the Registrar General of the Bombay High Court, setting up a special cell to trace the absconding or missing accused in these cases, and expediting the implementation of police reforms as suggested by the commission.
The court had also directed the state government to provide details of the only pending riot-related criminal case before the Sessions Court in Mumbai to the Registrar General of the Bombay High Court for swift disposal. Additionally, the court had asked for a report containing details of 168 individuals who were reported missing during the 1992-93 communal riots in Mumbai.
In a recent affidavit filed by the principal secretary of the home department of the state in March 2020, it was noted that 900 people had lost their lives in the riots and 168 were reported missing. The court had acknowledged that compensation had been provided to the legal heirs of the deceased and the families of 60 missing individuals.
To ensure proper implementation of their directions, the court has ordered the formation of a committee headed by the member secretary of MSLSA. This committee will monitor the progress of the directives issued in the judgment.
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