The Bombay high court on Friday asked the state government whether the services provided by the bomb disposal squad could be recognised for gallantry awards or Ashoka Chakra.
A division bench of Justice P.V. Hardas and P.N. Deshmukh was hearing a PIL filed by journalist Ketan Tirodkar that sought direction to award Ashok Chakras to martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Mr Tirodkar argued before the court that the employees of the squad should also be considered for receiving such awards. The court, however, stated its inability in passing such a direction and said that it cannot direct the state or Centre as far as giving rewards to any police personnel was concerned.
The HC asked the state to consider the proposal placed by the petitioner for honouring members of the bomb disposal squad with such awards.
The court also directed the state to comply with the order passed by a division bench headed by Justice S.B. Bobde in 2012. It directed the state to grant relief to the aggrieved families of martyrs of the Mumbai terror attack.
According to the petition, Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar were posthumously honoured with Ashok Chakra and their families compensated with petrol pumps. However, PSI Shashank Shinde, who had come face to face with Ajmal Kasab, and eight other policemen who also lost their lives in the attack, did not receive any such honours.
The petition demanded Ashok Chakras for them and petrol pumps for their families in order to provide financial support.
The state government, however, argued before the court that the Union government makes the decision regarding Ashok Chakras and petrol pumps. Although, the state sends its recommendation, the Centre has the final say in the matter.