Mumbai: Man suffers skull fracture after alleged police baton strike

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A 23-year-old Mumbai man sustained a skull fracture after being struck with a stick while riding a two-wheeler in the Vakola area of the city. His family members allege that he was injured when a policeman hit him on the head with his baton during a 'nakabandi', stated a PTI report.

The incident took place in the early hours of September 29, coinciding with Eid-e-Milad celebrations, as the victim, Imran Sheikh, was visiting dargahs (religious shrines) in the city with a friend. The police disclosed this information on Wednesday.

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Acting on a complaint filed by the victim's friend, Ejaz Khan, the police registered a case on Wednesday against an unidentified individual for the attack, which led to the victim's head injury, the report added.

According to the complaint, Sheikh was operating the motorcycle with Khan as the pillion rider. They were en route from Mahim Dargah to Oshiwara. However, upon reaching the Western Express Highway (WEH) in Vakola, they encountered a group of two-wheeler riders making a U-turn and warning others not to proceed due to a 'nakabandi' or police checkpoint ahead.

As they began to turn back, two individuals dressed in plain clothes allegedly assaulted them with bamboo sticks. While one assailant struck their motorcycle, Imran sustained a blow to the head. Subsequently, the attackers fled the scene, but Imran experienced discomfort and vomited on the spot.

According to the report, Sheikh's friend provided immediate first aid and transported him to his residence. From there, he was taken to the civic-run Bhabha Hospital in Kurla and later referred to KEM Hospital. At KEM, a CT scan revealed that Imran had suffered a skull fracture, as detailed in the complaint.

The victim's father, Razzak Sheikh, voiced suspicions about the 'nakabandi', questioning who, apart from police personnel, would dare to wield a bamboo stick in such a situation. He appealed for justice, expressing the shock and distress his family was experiencing. He called on the Vakola police to investigate their records and review CCTV footage to identify the officers stationed at the WEH checkpoint.

A police official confirmed that an FIR was filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 34 (common intention) against an unidentified person. The investigation into the incident is underway.