'I pleaded with police uncle not to beat up my daddy'

A child's mind is like an empty slate and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's election programme in the city will remain etched in 10-year-old Ritika Gaikwad's memory, as her father Santosh (40), was allegedly beaten up by cops yesterday.

Police Inspector Anil Ade reportedly beat up Santosh at 3.15 pm, when he entered the cordoned area to fetch his daughter from Saint Anne's School, adjacent to St Vincent's School at Vincent Street, where Gandhi was to campaign at 6 pm. "The police beat up my daddy, who had come to pick me up, as rickhshawallas were not allowed yesterday. When he reached my school, a police uncle shouted at him and beat him up," said Rikita.

"I pleaded with the police uncle not to beat my daddy, but he shouted at me and asked me to keep quiet. I started crying, but he did not listen. Then, other police uncles beat him up," she added.

Santosh, who suffered injuries on his ear, said that the main entrance to the school was blocked, so he went to the back gate. "When Ade saw me heading towards the school, he shouted at me. I told him I was going to fetch my daughter, but he got angry and asked me if I didn't know the area was cordoned for Rahul. I cannot hear from my left ear after Ade and two other cops hit me," he added.

Pune's Congress President Abhay Chajed said, "It is unfortunate if the incident has occurred. I cannot comment, as I am not aware of the case."