Azad Maidan violence: Rioters hid inside retired ACP's home

What was till now being speculated in hushed tones has ostensibly been vocalised by a police investigation report. Sources say Dongri cops have established that retired assistant commissioner of police Shamsher Khan Pathan had played a less than flattering role in the Azad Maidan violence.

Retired ACP Shamsher Khan Pathan

The internal investigation has reportedly revealed that soon after the mayhem began on August 11, around 15 to 20 rioters sporting clothes stained with mud and blood, were given shelter at Pathan's residential quarters, inside the Dongri police station compound.

The findings also state that Pathan, who retired on May 31, 2012, continues to occupy the police residential quarters in Dongri. Pic/Satyajit Desai

Sources say the miscreants arrived at the ex-ACP's dwelling soon after the riot had commenced and left only after the situation was brought under control. All this is in the report submitted by Dongri police to senior officials. The findings also state that Pathan, who has retired in May 31, still continues to occupy the police residential quarters.

The former top cop has also been accused of using this dwelling for the operations of his newly formed political outfit Awami Vikas Party, of which he is the president. Though the party's office is at Zaffari Chambers, 6th floor, near Sewri railway station, Pathan has apparently been using the police quarters for political activities, alleged a Dongri cop.

A BEST bus that was damaged during the Azad Maidan violence. File pics

"Pathan retired on May 31, 2012, but is yet to check out of his accommodation at Dongri police colony," a senior police officer, who did not wish to be named, confirmed. "He calls people, supporters and media to his residence in Dongri, so he can show off that he was a top police official," said another cop.

Retired ACP Shamsher Khan Pathan was accused of using his dwelling for the operations of his newly formed political outfit Awami Vikas Party, of which he is the president

The Azad Maidan violence threw up some big numbers. "92 people were injured 76 of them policemen, four journalists and ten ordinary citizens. Property worth Rs 2 crore, 74 lakh, 33 thousand was damaged," said a source from the crime branch. In all 64 rioters were arrested by the agency. Cops have already filed a 4,000-page charge sheet and will soon file a supplementary one.

Shamsher Pathan was one of the guests on the dais, reports say, at the venue of the August 11 demonstration. When contacted, additional commissioner of police (crime) Niket Kaushik said, "I am not aware of any such report."

The other side
"I don't conduct any political work out of my quarters, as my family is not connected with my party. Secondly, all this is a conspiracy to malign me. How can a confidential report be leaked to the media? I had indeed tried my best to stop the riots," Pathan told MiD DAY.u00a0