In a shocking incident during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election campaign, workers affiliated with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena allegedly assaulted a couple in their own home in Dahisar. The police have arrested two individuals and are searching for others involved.
Violent Confrontation During Campaign Visit
The altercation took place around 7 pm on Monday in the Mitha Ghar area of Dahisar (East). According to police officials from the MHB police station, two Shiv Sena members entered a couple's residence for election campaigning. The couple objected to this unsolicited entry into their private home, questioning how party workers could walk into someone's house uninvited.
This objection sparked a heated argument that quickly escalated into a physical fight. The two party workers are accused of assaulting the male homeowner. When his wife stepped in to intervene, they allegedly assaulted her as well, according to the police complaint.
Mob Attack and Police Action
The situation worsened when the initial two workers called for reinforcements. As the homeowner came out of his house, a group of Sena workers caught him and began kicking and punching him. The assailants also reportedly beat him with a stick. Several bystanders recorded the violent incident on their mobile phones, and the videos soon circulated widely on social media platforms.
Following the attack, the victim approached the police and filed a formal complaint. Acting on this, the police registered a case against 10 members of Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. The charges have been filed under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, specifically sections 352 (punishment for assault) and 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), among other relevant sections.
Arrests Made and Investigation Ongoing
Two persons were arrested on Tuesday morning, a day after the incident. A police officer confirmed the arrests, stating, "We have arrested two persons on Tuesday morning, while the identification of the others is going on. They will be arrested soon." The investigation is active, with authorities working to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the assault.
This incident has cast a shadow over the ongoing BMC election campaigns in Mumbai, raising serious questions about the conduct of political workers and the sanctity of private spaces during electioneering. The use of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in this case is also noteworthy, marking one of its early applications in a high-profile political violence case in Maharashtra.
