Archive · 13 Nov 2025
29 Shiv Sena Members Acquitted in 2005 Mumbai Rioting Case
A judge in Mumbai looked at a case about a big argument that happened a long time ago, back in 2005.
Many people from a political group called Shiv Sena were accused of causing trouble and damaging things during that time.
The judge decided that even though there was a problem and some people got hurt and things were broken, the police didn't have enough proof to say for sure that these 29 specific people were part of the group that did the rioting.
The judge said it's not certain they were involved in the bad behavior.
So, because there wasn't enough solid evidence against them, all 29 people, including some important politicians, were found not guilty and let go.
A special court acquitted 29 members of the then undivided Shiv Sena in a 2005 rioting case.
The acquittals include MP Ravindra Waikar and former Mayor Shraddha Jadhav.
The case stemmed from protests following the expulsion of Narayan Rane from Shiv Sena.
The court cited a lack of evidence and stated that the identification of the accused was not established.
The judge noted it could not be said with certainty that the accused were members of the unlawful assembly that committed the riot.
- Who
- 29 members of the then undivided Shiv Sena, including MP Ravindra Waikar, former Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, and other senior leaders
- What
- Acquitted in a 2005 rioting case
- When
- Order made available Wednesday (following the trial)
- Where
- Special MP and MLA Court, Mumbai
- Why
- Lack of evidence; identification of the accused and their membership in an unlawful assembly could not be established with certainty.
Prosecution Argument
Defense Argument
Involvement in Rioting
Prosecution Argument
The accused were members of an unlawful assembly that committed riot.
Defense Argument
The identification of the accused and their membership in an unlawful assembly cannot be established with certainty.
- Number of Acquitted
- 29
- Prominent Acquitted Individuals
- MP Ravindra Waikar, former Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, Ashok Kelkar, Pravin Shridhar Shetye, Mahesh Baliram Sawant, Jyoti Laxman Bhosale, Swati Atmaram Shinde, Ajit Kadam, Snehal Sudhir Jadhav, Priti Pravin Devahare, Sudha Suresh Meher, Shridhar Jaywant Shelar, Dagdu Haribhau Sakpal, Vishakha Sharad Raut
- Case Year
- 2005
- Reason for Unrest
- Political rivalry between two factions following Narayan Rane's expulsion from Shiv Sena
- Court
- Special MP and MLA Court
- Observation
- Identification of accused and their membership in unlawful assembly not established.
