Denied entry in Lalbaug Ganpati Mandal, man hurts cop

A man who wanted to visit the Lalbaug Ganpati Mandal along with his family assaulted an on-duty woman police official after being denied entry for not holding a pass.

The Kalachowki police has registered a case against him under section 353 of the IPC for assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty.

According to the Kalachowki police officials, the accused, identified as Sagar Rahate (31), lives in house in Ganesh Nagar, which is in a lane adjacent to the Lalbaug Ganpati pandal.

The Ganesh Nagar lane has been closed to the public because of traffic problems during the Ganeshotsav. Residents of the area need to show an entry pass that has been issued to them to the police or a security guard to enter the lane or to get into the Ganpati pandal.

“The man did not carry his pass and wanted to enter the Ganpati pandal along with his sister and a few other relatives. A woman police constable who was on duty at the gate asked him to produce his pass before entering and when he didn’t, she refused to let him in. He then created a ruckus and in the ensuing scuffle, the policewoman got hurt. The constable then registered a case against the accused with us.”

The constable hurt her hand and knee in the mishap. She is from the Vikroli police station and was deputed for bandobast at Lalbaug.

“He didn’t have a pass, so I didn’t let him in. Then he and his family started yelling and provoking others to defy me. We had clear instructions about only letting in people with a valid pass. I was just doing my job. He then shoved me aside and pushed the barricade. I immediately informed my seniors about the same and registered a complaint against him.”