Remarks on Witness Protection and Societal Apathy During Bail Hearing
New Delhi, May 17 – The Supreme Court has raised serious concerns over the reliance on a large number of witnesses in the 2017 Bhiwandi corporator murder case, remarking on the deteriorating moral fabric of society and the lack of willingness to stand for truth.The observations came during a hearing of the bail plea of Prashant Bhaskar Mahatre, the alleged mastermind behind the murder of Congress corporator Manoj Mahatre. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh asked the Maharashtra government to provide a list of key witnesses crucial for securing convictions in the case.
"Due to the deteriorating character of society, people nowadays are not ready to stand for truth," the bench observed. It questioned the state's need to examine 75 witnesses from a list of 200 named in the chargesheet, highlighting the challenges posed by gangster intimidation and the absence of an effective witness protection mechanism.
Court Seeks Expedited Trial, Questions Bail Grounds
The bench said it would establish a timeline to expedite the trial once the government presents the list of essential witnesses. Noting that 10 out of 14 witnesses examined during the Bombay High Court hearing had turned hostile, the court emphasized the need to focus on credible testimonies.When questioned about Prashant Mahatre's criminal background, the state counsel noted over a dozen cases against him. Mahatre's counsel countered that he had been acquitted in many of them and appealed for bail, citing his continued incarceration since 2017.
However, the bench firmly replied, "Don't expect a miracle from here. We just wanted your trial to be expedited. We want the society to be in peace. If you come out of jail, a lot of people will get sleepless nights."
Justice Kant further clarified that while the court is not technically monitoring the case, it is supervising the process to ensure the trial moves forward without unnecessary delays.
The High Court Had Denied Bail Based on Prima Facie Evidence
Earlier, the Bombay High Court had dismissed Mahatre’s bail plea on February 7, stating that confessional statements and other materials indicated he was the main conspirator. The court cited a statement from Mahatre’s driver, pointing to a longstanding political rivalry with the victim, who was also his cousin. It noted a previous assault incident in 2013 involving Mahatre.The High Court concluded that Mahatre had influenced others to launch a brutal attack on Manoj Mahatre, making out a strong prima facie case against him.
Background of the Case
According to the FIR, Manoj Mahatre, a three-time Congress corporator from Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation, was attacked on February 14, 2017, using firearms, sickles, and choppers. The assault left him grievously injured at the scene. The attackers fled, with some escaping in a waiting Swift car.Prashant Mahatre, along with seven others, was arrested by police in connection with the murder. The trial continues amid calls for judicial oversight and enhanced witness protection.
