‘Assault’ on Navghar cop: Police issue notice to BJP MP Kirit Somaiya

ACP (Mulund division) M V Avhad, who is investigating the case, confirmed that the notice has been sent to Somaiya’s Mulund residence.

“I have asked Somaiya to come to my office at 11:00 am on September 18. I will be recording his statement in connection with the FIR filed against him by Police Inspector Sampat Mundhe,” said Avhad.

The FIR states that on August 21, Mundhe had summoned BJP party worker Parikshit Dhume in connection with a case that had been registered during the Loksabha elections, and while Mundhe was completing formalities of the case, Somaiya allegedly barged into the police station with some party workers, abused him and hit him on the left hand, after which he left along with Dhume.

“We have recorded statements of more than a dozen witnesses, which includes the Senior Police Inspector of Navghar police station. We also have independent witnesses who were present in the police station on the day of the incident, as well as photographs and videos of the incident which were recorded by some witnesses, which show Somaiya abusing and assaulting Mundhe,” said a police officer.

After the incident, Mundhe had only made an entry in the station diary, but later filed an FIR on August 24, in which Somaiya was booked under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) , 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Additional Commissioner of Police (East region) is currently conducting a separate inquiry to look into why there was a delay in filing of the FIR.
santoshee.mishra@expressindia.com