Mah Deputy CM justifies police action against Karnataka MLA

Sangli, Maharashtra, Aug 19 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today justified the action of Solapur police against Karnataka legislator Ravikant Patil, saying the ''law is equal for all''.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Patil, who also holds state Home Minister's portfolio, said nobody has the right to violate the law.

On Wednesday midnight, a row erupted between the Karnataka MLA's supporters and the police over bursting of fire crackers in front of his bungalow on the occasion of Mr Patil's birthday. When the police asked the revellers to stop bursting crackers at such an odd hour, the MLA's supporters picked up an argument, forcing Solapur police commissioner Ashok Kamate to arrest Mr Patil and his supporters for violating Supreme Court's orders and disturing peace and causing nuisance.

In the heated argument, Mr Patil, an independent MLA from Indi in Gulbarga district of Karnataka, Mr Kamte and few others sustained injuries.

Mr Patil was produced before a local court the next day, and was granted a bail on a surety of Rs 10,000.

UNI