Maha govt begins process to take over Shakti Mills complex

The Maharashtra government has begun process for taking over the infamous Shakti Mills complex in Mumbai, where the gangrape of a photojournalist in August 2013 had shocked the nation.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the Prithviraj Chavan-led state government’s revenue department issued a notice to the Shree Shakti Mill Limited (SSML), promoters of the defunct mill, for termination of the lease deed.

The Shakti Mills complex is spread over 25,067 square metres in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai. It has been under the control of the Bombay High Court since 21 January, 1981, said the report.

Earlier, two juveniles arrested in connection with the Shakti Mills gangrape case had been convicted by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) on 16 June and sent to a Nashik school for three years to learn “good behaviour”.

“The JJB today convicted two juveniles in the gangrape cases and the board has sent them to borstal school in Nashik for learning good behaviour,” Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told PTI.

Nikam also said the Board, comprising Principal Magistrate GB Jadhav and member Mary Shettiyar, found the two juveniles guilty under sections of gangrape, criminal conspiracy and molestation of the Indian Penal Code, besides other relevant sections.

After the conviction, Nikam told the Board that the “minors committed the most heinous crime and a strong action may be taken against them.”

(With additional input from PTI)