Mumbai: Horrific footage of a woman traffic constable in uniform being thrashed in public by a man, in Thane, emerged on Friday evening. Police have identified the man, Shashikant Kalgude, as a local Shiv Sena leader from Dharamveer Nagar, Thane.
Molestation charges have been pressed against Kalgude. The incident reportedly took place on Thursday at around 11 am. The footage was recorded on a closed circuit camera, which went viral.
The video shows Kalgude getting off a Scorpio (MH06 BE7340) on the main junction near Thane Municipal Corporation, pushing and slapping the woman constable repeatedly.
The woman constable is seen putting up a brave fight against Kalgude who is almost thrice her size. No one is seen helping the constable for some time, even as Kalgude continues to assault her in the middle of busy traffic.
The woman constable is reportedly attached with the Thane traffic police since the last six years. The traffic cop reported to duty Friday and was manning the traffic in the same junction.
The constable was reportedly bleeding from her nose.
#WATCH Female traffic cop thrashed allegedly by a Shiv Sena leader in Thane(Maharashtra): CCTV footage (25.2.16)https://t.co/HBPHjCj7hJ
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 26, 2016
Meanwhile, after the video emerged the Shiv Sena distanced themselves from the accused, repeatedly stressing that he was a “former” Shiv Sena shakha pramukh.
“Person who beat up a woman cop in Thane has nothing to do with our party”, Aditya Thackeray clarified.
To all those tweeting to me about Thane incident, do read the Party statement on it. Office bearer or no, doesn't endorse the shameful act.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) February 26, 2016
This is to reiterate the shameful incident of slapping a lady constable, has no political backing, will not be shielded by anyone at all
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) February 26, 2016
The Party supports strong and strict lawful action. He isn't an office bearer but regardless, such acts shld be firmly dealt with by law
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) February 26, 2016
However, according to reports, local Shiv Sena members confirmed that Kalgude continues to be a shakha pramukh and owns a vada pav stall in Teen Haat Naka, Thane.
Reportedly, the woman constable in her statement said, “The man was speaking on the phone and driving, which is against the law, and was asked to halt. He abused me first and refused to give me his license. I chased his vehicle for a distance. When he stopped, he got down from his vehicle and started pushing me by my right shoulder. Then he began slapping and manhandling me and, finally, attempted to remove my steel name-tag from my uniform. That is when I felt he was attacking my modesty,”
A few pedestrians intervened and restrained Kalgude until more officers arrived at the spot.
