3 held for attacking soc chairman when asked to wear masks

2 arrested have body offence record, while another absconding has attempt-to-murder case on him

At a time when many housing societies in the city are undertaking strict measures to curb the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Amit Patil, a building chairman, had to apparently face the wrath of a few men, one being a fellow society member, when the former asked them to wear face masks.

In the incident, which took place in Sai Samarth Nagari Society in Ambegaon on Tuesday, Patil was allegedly attacked with a bamboo stick by the accused. Bharati Vidyapeeth police have arrested Ganesh Pawar, Krushna Lokhande and Ajay Ghadge in connection with the case after Patil filed a complaint, while one person is absconding. The men were booked under sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 188 and 269 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

According to the complainant, on July 21, three youths entered the society premises without wearing masks and stood near the parking lot. When Patil spotted them and asked why they did not have masks on, they said they were waiting for Pawar, Patil informed. The society chairman then apparently called Pawar to confirm whether the youths had indeed come to meet him. Instead of replying, Pawar allegedly started abusing Patil.

Pawar then went down with his mother and had an argument with Patil over the issue, said the complainant. While Patil was talking to Pawar’s mother, Pawar allegedly started beating Patil. The youths standing in the parking area joined in and thrashed Patil with a bamboo stick, the complainant further added. Patil has sustained injuries on his face, hand and back. When Patil’s wife and other society members rushed down to intervene, the youths apparently fled from the spot.

Patil was taken to Bharati Vidyapeeth Hospital for treatment. Next day, he went to the cops and lodged a complaint against the youths.

Commenting on the case, police sub-inspector Mahendra Patil, attached to the detection branch of Bharati Vidyapeeth police station, said, “The arrested youths were sent to magistrate custody and released on bail. Two of them have record of body offences, while one, accused in an attempt-to-murder case, is absconding. Further investigation is on.”