Maharashtra Police Consolidates Cases Against MLA Jitendra Awhad

The Maharashtra police have merged seven cases against NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad concerning his offensive remarks about Lord Ram. The High Court approved the consolidation, assigning the investigation to the Shirdi police, where the comments were initially made. The FIRs were filed under IPC section 295A.

The Maharashtra police have consolidated seven cases lodged against NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad over his controversial remarks about Lord Ram. On Thursday, the Bombay High Court was informed that these cases would be transferred to a single police station in Shirdi, where the offensive comments were initially made earlier this year.

Awhad, a former state minister, had petitioned the High Court seeking consolidation of all FIRs against him into a single investigation, preferably handled in Mumbai. However, Additional Public Prosecutor K.V. Saste informed a division bench led by Justice Revati Mohite-Dere that the cases would be probed by the Shirdi police, given the location of the alleged incident.

Following the court's acceptance of the police's decision, the petition was disposed of. The FIRs, registered under IPC section 295A, span multiple cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Yavatmal. Awhad later expressed regret over his remarks but did not retract them.

(With inputs from agencies.)