Advocate opposing Maratha quota assaulted outside HC

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, December 10

An advocate of the Bombay High Court for a petitioner who has challenged 16 per cent reservation for Marathas in educational institutions and government jobs was assaulted outside the court premises on Monday.

Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte told the press that one person from a group of protesters suddenly rushed towards the advocate and slapped him across the face after court proceedings on Monday.

The man, identified as Vaijnath Patil from Jalna district, who was chanting 'ek Maratha, lakh Maratha' was later arrested by the police. Sadavarte told reporters that he was merely doing his job of representing the petitioner, Advocate Jayshree Patil. He claimed he’s received phone threats after he filed the petition challenging the quota.

Earlier on Monday, Sadavarte pleaded for the quashing of the Maratha quota as the state government has exceeded the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations mandated by the Supreme Court. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice MS Karnik adjourned the case till December 19.

After the assault, the advocate went before the same bench and reported the incident. After summoning Advocate General Ashutosh Khumbhakoni, the court ordered round-the-clock security to be provided to Sadavarte.