SRP opened fire without police order

During the examination More recounted that on July 11 at 7.00 am he was informed at his residence by PSI Khilari from Pant Nagar police station about the desecration of Ambedkar’s statue, following which people staged a rasta-roko. Thereafter, he rushed to the site to contain the frenzy of a crowd of 600-odd people. His efforts were in vain, he told the court. Having met Khilari soon after, he instructed him to call for additional help.

He denied having called the striking platoon or instructing them to fire. The platoon committed a serious aberration by not consulting the local police chief present during a riotous situation as is convention, he said. The firing, which took place on the southern side of the highway opposite a shop Gunny Arts, stopped immediately after his message was relayed.

More admitted that he did not register a panchnama before removing the garland as is required by law. He disagreed that it was an attempt to obliterate evidence. Also, he maintained that he did not visit the injured as he was constrained to remain near the statue. He denied knowledge of the February 26, 1996 Mumbai bandh when a riot broke out at Ghatkopar. A case filed in this regard where the SRP and the police were petitioners and eyewitnesses respectively. However, he did assess the incident upon taking charge as ACP here.

More said it was wrong to conclude that M Kadam instructed firing to settle personal vendetta.