On this date in 2014, 24-year-old Mohsin Shaikh was allegedly murdered by members of the Hindu Rashtra Sena and was the first victim of Mob lynching by Hindu Extremist Groups. It has been nine years, but his family has still not received justice. Those accused in his murder are out on bail and the family says that the promises made to them by the government remain unfulfilled.
Communal tensions had began in the area after derogatory photographs of Shivaji and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray were uploaded on social media. Mohsin Mohammed Sadique Shaikh, an IT professional, was attacked and murdered while returning after prayer from Unnati Nagar. Police arrested the leader of HRS, Dhananjay Jayram Desai, for his alleged role in the incident.
The then Home minister R R Patil said authorities know the identity of real culprits and that Mohsin was innocent and killed in the riots. Maharashtra government announced compensation to his family.
In March 2015 the Bombay HC denied bail to Desai, sustaining that the prosecution had correctly submitted that Desai had taken advantage of poverty and unemployment and instigated such to satisfy his religious fanatic vendetta against a community. The judge observed most of the rioters were young men, one of them just 18. The HC justified the statement of the witness showing that it was planned to attack members of a community, directed by Desai and his bail was denied.
The case was in the point of framing of charges against all the 21 accused until 6 May 2017, and at least 15 of whom were out on bail while Desai had spent almost three years in jail. He was granted bail on 17 January 2019.
