Shiv Sena on Friday distanced itself from a Shiv Sainik who assaulted a 29-year-old policewoman in Thane, saying the party had nothing to do with the attack.
According to reports, Shashikant Kalgude attacked the traffic police constable when she stopped his car. In a video that has gone viral, both of them are seen hitting each other. Kalgude slapped and punched her so hard that her nose started to bleed. He has been arrested. Reacting to the incident, Yuva Sena leader Aditya Thackeray said whether or not Kalgude was a Shiv Sainik, the party did not support this shameful act.
The incident has attracted lot of flak and the Sena was targeted on social media. Taking cognisance of the issue, Mr Thackeray tried to defend his party by condemning the act. “I read about uncivil act of a person in Thane hitting a lady constable which is highly disgraceful. Strictest punishment should be given to such a person so that such incidents do not occur again,” he tweeted.
The Yuva Sena chief said that Kalgude was not with the party, which should not be dragged into the controversy just because the accused had a Shiv Sena sticker on his car. “It is shameful incident of slapping a lady constable, (he) has no political backing, (he) will not be shielded by anyone at all (sic),” Mr Thackeray tweeted.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil condemned the incident and slammed Sena. “It is very serious issue that the police is getting attacked during the tenure of this BJP-Shiv Sena government. The provocative atmosphere created during this government’s period has led to the attacks,” Mr Vikhe-Patil said referring to attack on police constable at Thane and also at Latur.
Kalgude allegedly assaulted the constable on Thursday after she called him out for using his cellphone while driving. She was on duty under the Eastern Express Highway flyover near Nitin Junction. She gestured at Kalgude to stop his vehicle but he tried to dodge her, until she came in front of the SUV to stop him. When the constable asked him to show his driving licence and the vehicle’s documents, Kalgude started abusing her.
He has been arrested and booked under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 354 (molestation) of the Indian Penal Code.
