Pune: Loni Kalbhor police have registered a case against 14 individuals for throwing ink on NCP (SP) spokesperson Vikas Lavande at Mhatobachi Alandi village near Loni Kalbhor on Saturday morning. Lavande later lodged a complaint with the police, stating that he was pushed and threatened by some people using a pistol.
Details of the Incident
Senior inspector Rajendra Panhale of Loni Kalbhor police told TOI, "Lavande (54), a resident of Ashtapur in Haveli taluka, stated in the FIR that he had visited Mhatobachi Alandi to attend a 10th-day ritual and to perform kirtan. After the ritual, Lavande sat in his vehicle and was about to start his car, which was parked off the Pune-Solapur highway, when 14 people, who were travelling in three cars, came and stopped in front of his car around 9.45 am. Two of them threatened him with a pistol and forcibly pulled him out of the vehicle."
Lavande stated in his complaint that the suspects also abused his driver. They claimed that he had insulted their ‘guru' during a speech. Before he could say anything, they pulled out a bottle of ink and blackened him.
Police Investigation
Panhale added, "We have the video of the incident and after studying the video, we have identified the two men and we are trying to ascertain identities of 12 others involved in the incident." Lavande said, "The men who threw ink on me said that they would shoot me dead."
Political Reactions
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar demanded strong action against the persons involved. Senior NCP (SP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal also criticised the recent incident of ink being thrown at NCP (SP) functionary Vikas Lawande, describing it as "improper."
