Nearly two years after the Azad maidan riots, the Mumbai District Collector on Thursday issued a Rs 2.73 crore recovery notice to two organisers who had arranged the rally in August 2012.
Many vehicles including media vans were torched, property was vandalised and police personnel were attacked during the riots in August 2012. The incident occurred when angry protestors who were agitating against the atrocities against Muslims in Burma at the city’s Azad Maidan, turned violent. Some women police personnel were also molested by the rioters.
The police had booked the organisers. On Thursday, the District Collector informed the Bombay High Court that a notice was issued against Sayeed Noori of Raza Academy and Ahmed Raza Shiekh of Madinatul Ulm Foundation.
But the court expressed displeasure about the recovery process. It also opined that the recovery amount might be lesser than the actual amount. The judges said that the authorities should not just quote the damage given by the police, but should make independent inquiry.
The court said that according to the Bombay Police Act, the civic administration should inquire with the victims, the insurance company, the vehicle-owners, the shopkeepers, the injured, to arrive at the damage incurred during the riots. “The court observed that Rs 2.73 crore might not be a realistic amount,” advocate Sanjeev Punalekar said.
The court has directed the authorities to clarify on the assessment amount. It has posted the matter for next hearing on April 30.
