Riot case: Sarpotdar, two others sentenced

Mumbai, July 9 (UNI) A special court today sentenced Shiv Sena leader Madhukar Sarpotdar, along with Ashok Shinde and Jayant Parab, to a year's imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 5,000, under section 153 (a) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), in a 1992 riot case registered at Nirmal Nagar police station in the western suburbs.

The Metropolitan Magistrate R C Bapat-Sarkar, however, after pronouncing his judgement, suspended it till August 16 to allow the three to approach a higher court.

They were released on cash bail of Rs 5,000 and would have to furnish the amount by July 24.

They had been booked in the case for allegedly making a provoking speech, unlawful assembly and rioting.

According to the prosecution, on December 27, 1992, Sarpotdar, then MLA, had addressed a gathering of Shiv Sainiks and made a provocative speech that had sparked violence.

Three others Ms Umeshi Pawar, Shantaram Shavlekar and Pradeep Khanvilkar were acquitted in the case for lack of evidence.

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