The incident happened when the lawyer was speaking to media outside the high court premise. The attacker stepped forward shouting slogan - 'Ek Maratha,  Lakh Maratha', he then hit Sadavarte. 

 

The attacker was immediately caught by policemen and lawyers. He was identified as Vaijnath Patil,  a resident of Jalna district of the Marathwada region. Patil, an unemployed youth, has been detained and investigations were in progress. 

 

Sadavarte's petition is before a division bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice MS Karnik. The PIL of Sadavarte had pointed out that the Supreme Court had mandated a 50% cap on the reservation. 

 

"I have received over 100 threats till now," said Sadavarte after the attack.

 

Last month, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously decided to give 16% reservation to the Maratha community under a new category,  Socially & Economically Backward Class,  over and above the already existing 52 % reservation.  

 

Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao has already cleared and signed the bill. 

 

Meanwhile, Maratha Kranti Morcha convenor  Virendra Pawar said that Sadavarte's petition is to seek publicity.