Pune: The Pune police on Thursday arrested five members of the Padmashali Telugu caste council under the newly-enacted Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016.

Sachin Dasa, a businessman (37) from Ganj Peth of Pune had lodged a FIR at Khadak police station against the sarpanch of the Padmashali Panch Committee, Somnath Kaichi; treasurer Mahadev Kadagi; president Dilip Jana; vice-president Vinayak Saka; and member Vinod Jalagi.

Dasa said, “The caste council of the Padmashali community owns many properties across the city and it has given them on rent to many. My great grandfather had taken the shop on rent from the caste council. Later, my grandfather ran the shop. Despite his requests, the council did not change the name in the lease and my grandfather had to pay rent in the name of his father. That continued till date. Earlier, my father had to give rent in the name of my great-grandfather and now, I pay rent in his name only.”

Dasa added, “That is why I have been asking the council to change the lease agreement on my name. However, the council members including sarpanch Kaichi asked me to pay Rs 5 lakh along with rent of Rs 15,000 per month. Only then, it would change the lease to my name. However, the council did not ask many others who have taken shops on rent about donation and a hike in rent. Many of them don’t belong to the Padmashali community. But the council members threatened me to pay the amount.”