Mumbai: Maharashtra State Minorities Commission member Wasim Burhan who visited Ardhmasla in Beed district on Thursday as part of the commission’s inquiry into the explosives blast at the village’s Jama Masjid last week, said that local police have agreed to add charges under the anti- terrorism law.
Burhan met the District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police before visiting the Jama Masjid.
The explosion on Saturday night damaged a section of the shrine. The police station has registered a First Information Report against the accused, Vijay Gavhane and Shriram Sagde, under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita, 2023, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. The charges relate to damaging a place of worship, outraging religious feelings, and making and possessing explosive substances. The accused are not from the village, said Burhan.
Lawyers have said the blast in Beed was an act of terrorism and is a fit case for the application of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
“I spoke to members of all communities and they wanted the accused to be charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. I spoke to the superintendent of police about this,” said Burhan who added that he will submit a report on the Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister.
The Maharashtra State Minorities Commission has civil court powers.
