Saturday, Apr 20, 2024 | Last Update : 12:43 AM IST
Legislator barges into flat to evict tenant
Dhule-based MLA Kashiram Pawara and his supporters allegedly vandalised the residence and assaulted the family staying there.
Mumbai: A Dhule-based legislator in the afternoon on Tuesday allegedly barged into a Versova flat – owned and rented out by him - to evict the tenant from his house.
A few men allegedly accompanying the legislator vandalised the residence and assaulted the family staying there, even as alarmed neighbours gathered in front of the flat. Alerted by the tenant, a team of Versova police arrived at the spot to bring the situation under control. The police is likely to register a case of house-trespass and assault, said sources.
According to police sources, the incident took place at 2.30pm on Tuesday when Dhule-based Congress MLA Kashiram Pawara allegedly entered the premises of Versova’s New MHADA Colony, along with more than 20 supporters.
The victim, Ms Soniya Kumar (30), said, “The MLA came along with goons, who forced themselves into my house and vandalised it. They also tore my clothes, and assaulted my family. They are trying to evict us from the house, and we will go, but only when we get a legal notice asking us to leave. When they approach us the legal way, we will respond quickly.”
When contacted, Mr Pawara strongly rebutted all the allegations levelled against him by the tenant and the police. “The tenants had not paid the rent for the past 14 months, and hence, me and my personal assistant approached them and asked them to vacate the flat.” When asked about allegations of trespass and assault, he said, “I did no such thing. The tenants might allege anything, like we tore their clothes or vandalised the premises.”
Kiran Kale, senior police inspector of Versova police station, said, “We have sent our teams to the spot, and the statement is being recorded. Since this matter is related to a property feud, we will have to check all the CCTV footage of the building to verify the allegations levelled by the tenants. The police cops will also verify if a legal eviction notice was sent earlier, before they allegedly visted the house in Versova’s New MHADA colony.”
