Pune Iftar Mob Attack: Police Under Fire for No Arrests After 13 Days
In Pune, a disturbing case of mob violence has left the community and civil rights activists demanding answers. Over thirteen days have passed since a group of approximately 150 individuals brutally assaulted at least 14 men from Kondhwa who were gathered for Iftar near Askarwadi lake, close to Bopdev Ghat, on March 13. Despite clear evidence and victim identifications, police have yet to make a single arrest, prompting sharp criticism from a fact-finding committee and local community leaders.
Fact-Finding Committee Questions Police Inaction
The eight-member fact-finding committee, operating under the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and led by former Justice G D Parekh, has openly questioned the police's apparent "inaction". This comes even though the victims have identified key attackers and submitted photographic evidence and video clips to authorities. Milind Champanerkar, a member of both PUCL and the committee, raised a critical point: "How did the police fail to gather intelligence of such an attack?"
Victim Accounts Point to Organized Assault
Victim-complainant Feroz Sayyad, aged 36, described the attack as "clearly organized". He emphasized that gathering 150 people armed with sticks and rods "could not have been immediate". Sayyad provided a chilling account of the unprovoked violence: "We were not playing loud music, throwing waste, or disturbing anyone. A group of us had spread a carpet. We were having food when we were attacked without provocation." The brutality of the assault left one victim requiring 14 stitches after being struck with rods, and another group of people was also beaten.
Adding to the suspicion, during a police panchnama the following day, a CCTV camera at the scene was found covered with a black hoodie, raising questions about potential evidence tampering.
Police Response and Denials
Superintendent of Police (Pune rural) Sandeep Gill confirmed that an investigation is ongoing but did not explain the absence of arrests. Deputy SP Rajendrasinh Gaur denied any delay in police action, stating that 10–15 suspects have been identified. However, he noted, "They fled their homes and switched off their phones. Arrests are likely within a day or two."
Gaur maintained that the attack was not preplanned and claimed no intelligence was available beforehand. He also added that Iftars "are typically held near mosques", a statement that has drawn criticism for its insensitivity.
Political and Legal Repercussions
Jambuvant Manohar, president of the Samajwadi Party's city unit, revealed that party workers have been protesting in front of the SP's office since Monday, demanding the arrest of the accused. Manohar expressed a grave concern: "We feel this is an incident of state-sponsored violence."
In a legal move, advocate Taj Siddiqui has petitioned the State Minority Commission, seeking:
- A Special Investigation Team (SIT) to handle the case.
- A departmental inquiry against police officers allegedly delaying the probe.
- Addition of stronger criminal sections to the First Information Report (FIR).
Commission member Wasim Burhan confirmed receipt of the petition and stated that the superintendent of police would be instructed to investigate, take appropriate action, and submit a detailed report.
As the days pass without arrests, the incident continues to highlight issues of law enforcement accountability and minority safety in Pune, with calls for justice growing louder.
