Siblings held for assaulting cop

Sister was fined for not wearing helmet.

A policewoman attached to the Vile Parle station was assaulted by a 23-year-old woman who had been asked to cough up a fine of '500 for riding her two-wheeler without wearing a helmet on Tuesday.

The police constable, identified as Priyanka Khot (30), had demanded Rs 500 as fine, whereas the scooter rider, Aarti Patlekar, contended that she would not part with more than Rs 100. In the melee, Aarti kicked Ms Khot in the stomach and also slapped her.

Aarti further called her brother Sudarshan (30) to the spot near Mahila Sangh school of Vile Parle, who then allegedly threatened and abused the police personnel for “daring” to impose a fine on his sister.

The police has arrested Aarti and Sudarshan on charges related to assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his or her duty and voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his or her duty under the IPC.

At the time of the incident, Ms Khot was on duty at a police bandobast, when she espied Aarti riding by without a helmet. She then noted down the registration number of the scooter. After sometime, Aarti came riding on the scooter again from the opposite direction. The police team immediately intercepted her and asked her to pay a fine for not wearing a helmet.

Aarti then started arguing and called all police officials corrupt. She insisted the fine for helmet-less driving was only Rs 100. Hearing the commotion, a policeman intervened and tried to calm Aarti, but she abused him as well. Ms Khot then asked Aarti to mind her language while speaking to the elderly male constable. A riled Aarti then kicked Khot in the stomach and slapped her.

Aarti then called her brother Sudarshan. He too started abusing the policemen on reaching the spot. Claiming he had contacts in the police force, Sudarshan threatened to get the police officials concerned suspended. A few more policemen then rushed to the spot and escorted the brother-sister duo to the Vile Parle police station.