PIL filed against Raje for violence in Gujjar agitation

New Delhi, June 19 (UNI) A PIL was today filed in the Supreme Court seeking registration of criminal cases against Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundara Raje and senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh for instigating caste violence during the Gujjar agitation for ST status.

The PIL, filed by advocate D S Patel, sought an inquiry by an apex court appointed committee in the violence during the week-long Gujjar agitation. It alleged that the two leaders instigated Gujjars against Meenas for political mileage.

According to the petitioner the Gujjar agitation in Rajasthan was due to start at 1100 hrs on May 29 but six people were killed in police firing at 0700 hrs.

The SC has already taken serious note of the large scale damage to public and private property caused during the agitation and has appointed two committees to strengthen the prevention of damage to Public Property Act and also to suggest measures for ensuring that offenders are brought to book.

A vacation bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and P P Naolekar has expressed dissatisfaction with the ''ineffectiveness'' of the Act as the conviction rate has been quite abysmal during the 25 years of its existence.

The petition will come up for hearing on July 9, the day of reopening of the apex court after summer vacation.

UNI