Case:- MOHAMMAD AFZAL MOHAMMAD SHARIF vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS.
Citation:- 2025 INSC 1100
Date:- 11.09.2025
Supreme Court Bench:- JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR & JUSTICE SATISH CHANDRA SHARMA
The Hon’ble Supreme Court criticizing the Maharashtra police for failing to probe an assault during the 2023 Akola Riots, directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to investigate the allegations, which shall comprise senior officers from both the Hindu and Muslim communities.
- The Hon’ble Court ordered the creation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) made up of senior officers from both Hindu and Muslim communities to ensure fairness. The Hon’ble Court stressed that police officers, once in uniform, must rise above personal biases (religious, caste, or otherwise) and act with integrity and impartiality.
- The Hon’ble Court also directed the Home Secretary to take disciplinary action against officers who failed in their duties. Further, the Hon’ble Court asked the state to sensitize and train police officers on their legal duties to prevent such lapses in the future.
- The petitioner, a 17-year-old eye-witness, claimed he was assaulted during the riots and saw four men kill a victim named Vilas Mahadevrao Gaikwad, but his statement was ignored and no FIR was filed against the real culprits. Instead, the police filed charges against some Muslim persons, which the petitioner alleged was a biased move.
- Earlier, the Hon’ble Bombay High Court had rejected his plea, saying it was delayed and appeared to have an ulterior motive, but the Supreme Court overturned this order. The riots had broken out in May 2023 in Akola, Maharashtra, after an objectionable social media post on Prophet Muhammad, leading to one death and several injuries.
