Mahim cop thrashes complainant's friend inside police station

This picture has been used for representational purposes

A police sub-inspector attached with Mahim Police station was booked on Friday for allegedly thrashing a man who had accompanied a complainant to the police station. The accused cop Gahininath Satav, 36, was on night duty when the victim visited the police station to check on the progress of a kidnapping of his friend's kids. The cops, however, claimed that the victim abused and provoked the police officer, resulting in the assault.

Two minor kids of Nadeem Sheikh, living at Mahim Causeway, went missing from home on February 19. An offence of kidnapping was filed at Mahim police station. The next day, when Ganesh Jalgaonkar, 55, a Railway employee and Sheikh's neighbour, found out about the kids going missing, he met Sheikh. That's when the father expressed his unhappiness over the kids being untraceable.

Jalgaonkar suggested visiting the police station and both of them did so around 3 am (February 21). "While we were sitting at the station, PSI Satav came and asked us why we were there. I told him that Sheikh was like a brother and hence I had come along to get updates on the case," Jalgaonkar told mid-day.

Violence at police station
As soon as Jalgaonkar questioned Satav, the latter allegedly started slapping him. Satav allegedly told a constable to lock Jalgaonkar in a room, which Satav entered after 15 minutes and slapped him some more. Jalgaonkar's head hit a table in the process and resulted in him bleeding.

The information was relayed to senior Inspector Milind Gadankush and ACP Nandkishor More. Both officers rushed to the police station to take stock of the situation.

"We heard both sides and decided to register an offence," said Gadankush. Jalgaonkar was shifted to Bhabha Hospital, Bandra, where a medical examination confirmed a swelling on his ears and cheeks. A head injury was also observed. The Mahim cops have booked Satav under Indian Penal Code Section 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others).

"We have sent a detailed report of the incident and a statement of both parties to senior officers. They will take a final call," added Gadankush.

'Victim provoked'
An officer from Mahim police station, present at the site, said, "Jalgaonkar was consistently bombarding PSI Satav with questions and using abusive language. Satav then questioned Jalgaonkar, and the reason of his visit to which Jalgaonkar answered using abusive language resulting in Satav losing his temper."

Case against victim
The Mahim police have booked Jalgaonkar for obstructing official work. They also claimed Jalgaonkar didn't have any head injuries but deliberately hit his head on some surface.

He has been booked under Sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 309 (Attempt to commit suicide), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of Maharashtra Police Act.

Jalgaonkar, a Western Railway employee may stand to lose his job as well, as the cops have charged him under non-bailable sections.

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