No intention to interfere, was trying to defuse situation: Ajit Pawar on 'rebuking' IPS officer
Mumbai (PTI): A day after a video showed him rebuking and asking a woman IPS officer to stop action against illegal soil excavation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said he did not want to interfere but was only trying to deescalate a tense situation.
As the NCP chief came under fire over the incident, police registered a case against several persons for allegedly obstructing IPS officer Anjali Krishna and other officials as they were taking action against illegal `murum' soil excavation in Solapur district.
In the viral video which surfaced on Thursday, Pawar was heard admonishing Krishna over phone.
"Let me state clearly that my intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further," Pawar said in a statement on Friday.
He values the rule of law and has the highest respect for the police force and its officers, including women officers who serve with distinction and courage, he said.
"I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law," Pawar further said.
The video, aired by Marathi news channels, showed Anjana Krishna, sub-divisional police officer, Karmala, talking to Pawar on a local NCP worker's phone. She did not recognise his voice at first.
Pawar then made a video call to the police officer, and purportedly asked her in a stern tone to stop action against the illegal excavation.
Murum soil is used in road construction.
Meanwhile, a First Information Report was registered against Baba Jagtap, Nitin Mali, Santosh Kapre, Anna Dhane and 15 to 20 others under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 132 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 189 (2) (Unlawful Assembly), and relevant sections of Protection of Environment Act, said an official of Kurduwadi police station.
The incident had taken place on August 31 when revenue department officials along with IPS officer Anjali Krishna reached Kapre Wasti to take action against illegal excavation, said the official.
The accused allegedly tried to obstruct the action, he added.
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
