Maharashtra: MNS party worker thrashed after birthday banner wishing NCP leader pulled down in Thane

A videograb of the the viral video

A party worker of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) from Mumbra was assaulted by five individuals after tearing down a birthday wishing banner belonging to former NCP corporator Najeeb Mulla, associated with the Ajit Pawar faction. The video capturing the assault on victim Irfan Sayed went viral on social media, prompting the police to take action and register a case against the five assailants. However, Sayed claims that even after being kidnapped, the police failed to invoke the section pertaining to whether the assailants were acting under pressure.

According to the police, the complainant is identified as Irfan Farman Ali Sayed, a 49-year-old driver and president of the Kalwa-Mumbra Vidhansabha Vahatuk Sena of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. In his statement to the police, Sayed mentioned that due to his involvement in social work, he is well-known in Mumbra. "Two days before Najeeb Mulla's birthday, I tore one of the banners placed on the front gate of Bahubali Maiden, Old Mumbai-Puje Road, Mumbra," said Sayed in his police statement.

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Sayed explained that on Tuesday, January 23, while riding his motorcycle near the 'Love Kausa' junction in front of Fatima Enclave in Kausa, he was stopped by familiar faces, including Sikandar Sayed, Sayed Badshah, Mohammed Hasan Shaikh, Zuber Mohammed Qureshi, and Adnan Shaikh, all residents of Mumbra.

"These individuals took me to an isolated location surrounded by an iron sheet compound and assaulted me, demanding an apology for tearing Najeeb Mulla's banner. They continued to assault me," he added in his police statement.

Meanwhile, the accused created a video of the incident, which they circulated on social media to instill fear among the masses. All the accused have political connections. However, the viral video and the assault have raised questions about safety in Mumbra.

The Mumbra police have registered a case against Sikandar Khan, Sayed Badshah, Mohammed Hasan Haji Mohammed Noor, Zuber Mohammed Qureshi, and Adnan Shaikh. A case has been registered at Mumbra police station under sections 143, 147, 149, 323, 341, 342, and 504 of the Indian Penal Code.

"We have registered a case and have initiated the investigation. Our teams are in search of the accused and will soon take further action," said N Kolatkar, senior police inspector at Mumbra police station.

Sources indicate that these accused have a criminal background and strong political connections.