Family receives cops’ written assurance

The Wadala police has given a written assurance to the family members of deceased Ruthik Patekar that it would arrest the accused responsible for abetting his death. This promise comes after Ruthik’s family, relatives and neighbours gathered outside the Wadala police station, refusing to take away the body of the boy for cremation.

“On Thursday, the police brought me to the autopsy centre at Vashi’s New Municipal Corporation Hospital. I work in the autopsy centre and when I uncovered the body, I was shocked to see my son lying there dead,” said Ganesh Patekar, father of the deceased, who is a cleaner in the autopsy section of the hospital.

After his colleagues realised what had happened, they brought Ganesh home and also informed Ruthik’s brother, who was frantically searching for his brother since over 12 hours. On Sunday afternoon, after the autopsy was done, the police wanted to hand over the body for cremation but this was met with massive protests from the Patekar’s neighbours and relatives. “It has been over four days since the incident, but the police is yet to arrest all the accused. They have not even told us whether they have identified these accused.” said Prashant, Ruthik’s uncle. Over 200 people gathered outside the police station, blocking off access to the road leading up to it. The ambulance with Ruthik’s body was parked outside the gate, with the family refusing to take it for the last rites.

After sitting outside the station for nearly three hours, the police gave in to the pressure and called them to meet the senior police inspector Parshuram Karyakarte. “He informed us that two of the five accused had been arrested and they were looking for the remaining ones. He also gave us a written assurance that they would arrest those absconding in the coming two-three days,” said Ganesh.

“They also told us that if the arrests weren’t made, we could initiate legal proceedings,” he said.

When contacted, Mr Karyakarte confirmed the same. He also said they would be once again recording the statement of Nikhil after his condition was stable.

The family and protesters left only after receiving the letter. Ruthik’s last rites were conducted at 6.30 pm on Sunday.