The Khadak police station in Pune has taken decisive action by registering a formal case of rioting and assault against six identified individuals along with their unidentified accomplices. This legal action follows a disturbing incident that occurred in the Lohiyanagar area on Thursday afternoon, where Shantanu Kamble, a 30-year-old resident, was allegedly subjected to a brutal physical attack.
Political Background of the Assault
Senior police inspector Shashikant Chavan of the Khadak police provided crucial context to the incident, revealing the political dimensions at play. According to Inspector Chavan, the victim's sister, Mrunal Kamble, had recently secured a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket to contest the civic elections and emerged victorious as a newly elected corporator. This electoral success appears to have triggered underlying tensions within the local political landscape.
Election Poster Dispute Turns Violent
The confrontation reportedly stemmed from Shantanu Kamble's efforts to celebrate his sister's electoral victory. After the election results were declared, Kamble began displaying posters featuring his sister's photograph along with the BJP party symbol throughout the Lohiyanagar neighborhood. However, this celebratory gesture met with immediate opposition from the six accused men.
"The suspects explicitly instructed Kamble to remove all the posters from the area," explained Inspector Chavan, detailing the initial confrontation. "When Kamble persisted with his poster campaign despite these warnings, the situation escalated dramatically."
Brutal Assault in Broad Daylight
Around 3 PM on Thursday, the disagreement turned physically violent. The six accused men, allegedly accompanied by additional accomplices, reportedly launched a coordinated attack on Shantanu Kamble and his friends. According to police accounts, the assailants employed both kicks and punches during the assault, leaving Kamble injured from the physical altercation.
Beyond the immediate physical violence, the suspects issued explicit threats against Kamble, warning him of "serious consequences" should he return to the Lohiyanagar area with any additional posters promoting his sister's political success. This combination of physical assault and verbal intimidation created an atmosphere of fear surrounding what should have been a celebratory post-election period.
Legal Proceedings and Police Action
Following the afternoon assault, Shantanu Kamble demonstrated remarkable perseverance by formally lodging a police complaint against his attackers later that same night. His detailed complaint enabled the Khadak police to swiftly register a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections pertaining to rioting and assault.
The police have already initiated official proceedings by serving formal notices to all six identified suspects. These legal notices explicitly direct the accused individuals to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Law enforcement authorities are currently working to identify and locate the additional accomplices mentioned in the complaint, expanding the scope of their investigative efforts.
This incident highlights the sometimes volatile intersection of political competition and community relations in urban electoral contexts. The Khadak police's prompt registration of the case underscores their commitment to maintaining public order and ensuring that electoral processes remain free from intimidation and violence, regardless of political affiliations or outcomes.
