Force-feeding of a fasting Muslim: Centre unlikely to intervene in Sena MPs' case

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The Union home ministry is unlikely to intervene in the case involving force-feeding of a fasting Muslim canteen supervisor by 11 Shiv Sena MPs at the Maharashtra Sadan as there is no police complaint filed in the matter yet.

"Unless there is a police complaint, we can hardly do anything," a home ministry official said. The catering supervisor had complained about the July 17 incident to his bosses at the IRCTC, which managed the canteen at the Sadan. The IRCTC responded by dashing off a protest letter to state resident commissioner Bipin Mallick and suspending operations.

However, a PIL was filed in the Delhi high court on Thursday by an NGO Garib Nawaz Foundation demanding immediate registration of a criminal offence against the Sena MPs, including Thane MP Rajan Vichare who was caught on camera force-feeding the supervisor, their arrest and disqualification.

Though no First Information Report in the case has been filed yet, legal experts said police could take suo motu action and register a case.

The Sena, though, adopted a belligerent stance, defending its MPs in its mouthpiece Saamna and slamming its rivals for "lending a communal twist to the episode." Sena president Uddhav Thackeray demanded the resignation of Mallick, who has administrative control of the Sadan.

The Central government is expected to respond on the issue in Parliament on Friday.