Dinesh Kamath's news 'Sanatan Ashram of Panvel accuses police of providing false information to media and public in general' that was published in Newsband

Sanatan Ashram of Panvel accuses police of providing false information to media and public in general

By Dinesh Kamath

Above Photo: During a press conference, from Left Adv. H. D. Salunkhe, Spokesperson of ‘Sanatan Sanstha’ Shri Abhay Vartak, National Secretary of 'Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad' Adv. Sanjiv Punalekar, Spokesperson of ‘Hindu Janjagruti Samiti’ Shri Ramesh Shinde

PANVEL: In the press conference with Adv. H. D. Salunkhe, Spokesperson of ‘Sanatan Sanstha’ Shri Abhay Vartak, National Secretary of 'Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad' Adv. Sanjiv Punalekar, Spokesperson of ‘Hindu Janjagruti Samiti’ Shri Ramesh Shinde present, the members of the press were given the following information by Abhay Vartak, Spokesperson, Sananat Sanstha:

“On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi i.e. 5th September 2016 at 11.50 a.m., the Special Investigation Team (SIT), investigating the case of the killing of Comrade Pansare raided the Sanatan's Devad (Panvel) Ashram. When all seekers were busy in worshipping Deity Ganesh, the Police engaged them in the inquiry for 16 hours till 4.30 a.m. next day and mentally harassed them. In fact, the CBI, known as the supreme investigation agency of the country had already conducted a thorough inquiry in Ashram. Despite the ready availability of CBI report to SIT, the later enacted the drama of conducting raid merely to garner publicity. When SIT realised that nothing of any consequence could be found in Ashram, the Police officers seized the medicines in the dispensary of Ashram and to defame Sanatan Sanstha, made false statements before media that narcotics were seized from Ashram.

Since many seekers in various age-groups reside in Ashram, and it is not possible for them to visit the outside hospitals, Ashram runs free dispensary. The dispensary is run by the recognised and capable doctors having experience of 20-30 years in the medical field. The medicines required in the dispensary are purchased with authorised bills. Despite the lack of any evidence of wrong practice in this dealing, a drama of seizure of medicines was enacted. According to Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, recognised medical practitioners have been fully authorised to hold the license for storing and distributing the medicines. Still, the stock of medicines was seized by the SIT. Also the copies of Panchnama of the seizure of medicines were illegally handed over to the media. However, SIT was not ready to provide the copy of Panchnama to the management of Sanatan Ashram. This goes to show that SIT was more interested in defaming Sanatan Sanstha than conducting an inquiry.

What is the connection between the investigation in a murder case and medicines? Earlier, the Police had seized an alarm clock during the raid on Sanatan Ashram in Goa and gave publicity to news people that a 'timer' was seized. A similar drama is being enacted now in the case of the medicines. The medicines are seized, and these are called narcotic substances.

Despite the Government of pro-Hindutva ideology ruling the nation, Sanatan Sanstha is needlessly persecuted and defamed by planting false news with the media. This is saddening and hurts a lot. Is this a progressive method of covering the truth?”