Archive · 14 Dec 2025
1991 Ashram Attack: Last Accused Acquitted
A long time ago, in 1991, a group of people attacked a place called Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in Maharashtra.
They hurt the manager and damaged property.
Many people were accused, but most were let go.
Recently, the last person accused, Satva Ladkya Bhagat, was also let go because the court said there wasn't enough proof that he did anything wrong.
The witnesses couldn't even say for sure who did it.
So, after many years, the case is finally over, and no one is being punished for the attack.
The sole remaining accused, Satva Ladkya Bhagat, was acquitted in the 1991 Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram attack case.
The attack involved a 150-strong mob armed with stones and sticks, causing grievous injuries to the manager and extensive property damage.
Originally, 32 people were charged, but all were acquitted in 2003. The current case involved Bhagat and three others, but the other three died.
The court acquitted Bhagat due to insufficient evidence linking him to the crime and unreliable witness testimonies.
The prosecution failed to establish the charges against Bhagat, as key witnesses could not identify the accused.
- Who
- Satva Ladkya Bhagat, the sole remaining accused in the 1991 Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram attack case
- What
- Acquittal of the last accused in the 1991 Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram attack and dacoity case
- When
- The attack occurred on August 14, 1991. The acquittal was pronounced on November 26, 2023.
- Where
- The attack took place at Talasari in Palghar district, Maharashtra. The acquittal was pronounced by a local court in Palghar.
- Why
- The prosecution failed to produce reliable evidence directly linking Bhagat to the commission of the crime, and key witnesses could not identify the accused.
- Date of Attack
- August 14, 1991
- Location of Attack
- Talasari, Palghar district, Maharashtra
- Number of Accused Initially
- 32
- Number of Accused in Current Case
- 4 (1 acquitted, 3 deceased)
- Charges Filed
- Rioting, dacoity, robbery, causing grievous hurt, damage by fire
- Date of Acquittal
- November 26, 2023
- Judge
- Additional Sessions Judge AV Chaudhari Inamdar
- Reason for Acquittal
- Insufficient evidence linking accused to the crime