Sena corporator, BJP ward president booked for molestation in separate cases in last 48 hours

Two men, affiliated with the state’s ruling combine of BJP and Shiv Sena, were booked for molestation in separate cases in the last two days.

Shiv Sena Corporator

Namdeo Bhagat, a Shiv Sena corporator from Nerul, was booked on Monday for molesting a 19-year-old student.

The student, in her complaint to Uran police, alleged that Bhagat took her to his farmhouse in Dighode village on Sunday under the pretext of lending financial help and molested her.

Uran police subsequently registered an FIR under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage modesty) against Bhagat.

The 51-year-old, who is also a member of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s standing committee, is currently absconding.

The incident comes a day after a former Shiv Sena corporator Shrikant Pangarkar was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with the seizure of crude bombs and weapons from different parts of Maharashtra between August 9 and 11.

BJP Ward President

In the other case, police arrested Umesh Pande, the president of BJP ward number 33 after he allegedly molested a 19-year-old.

According to Malwani police, the victim stayed near Pande’s office. She would often carry refreshments to his office at the behest of her father, who was on good terms with the accused.

The teen had recently started hunting for a job, and Pande had assured her father that he would help in the matter.

On Saturday evening, he called the victim to his office under the pretext of discussing the job and touched her inappropriately. The girl reportedly slapped Pande and raised an alarm, following which locals called the police.

Based on her complaint, Malwani police booked the accused under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage modesty) and produced him before a local court on Sunday, which remanded him to judicial custody.