12, Jul 2015

Crime motivated by caste considerations and political patronage protecting accused, say victims
Nitin Patankar & Shailendra Paranjpe @dna
Eleven days after an attack on the Bhingardive and Kamble families from Lakhewadi near Indapur in Pune district, the main suspects remain at large. The victims said the crime was motivated by caste considerations, which the state denies. The victims have also alleged that it is only because of political patronage that a majority community family tried to eliminate them.
The Bhingardive family members have alleged that because of influence by MLA Dattatray Bharane and the fact that Minister of State for Home Ram Shinde is a distant relative of the suspects, the police is not taking action against the suspects. Bharane has refuted the allegation and has maintained that he has not intervened in the case in any way.