Mumbai: Drama as molester caught after evading arrest for 10 months

Mahesh Mohan Shetty, also known as Kolu

The Borivli police, disguised as members of the Ganpati mandal, successfully apprehended a wanted accused during a Ganpati visarjan event in Borivli. This was not without drama as the accused, wanted in a molestation case, attacked the officers with stones and then issued threats to both the officers and devotees gathered, warning them not to catch him, or he would harm everyone there. One of the injured constables Swapnil Pawar, 33 was admitted to Shatabdi hospital for treatment.

The accused has been identified as Mahesh Mohan Shetty, also known as Kolu, a Borivli resident, who had been evading arrest since December 2022. He has been on the run following an incident where he molested a woman under the influence of alcohol during a haldi function in Borivli.

According to a police officer, on September 25, API Salunkhe of the Borivli police station received a tip-off regarding the presence of Mahesh Shetty at the Ganpati Visarjan event at Ratnabai Chawl Ganeshotsav Mandal in Sai Baba Nagar, Borivli West. API Sagar Salunkhe promptly informed Senior Inspector Ninad Sawant, and together, they set a trap at the Ganpati pandal.

Around 8.45 pm, while the visarjan was in progress, Shetty arrived at the pandal and joined the festivities. A police team comprising API Salunkhe, PSI Nimbalkar, Constable Swapnil Pawar, Constable Kumak Bhagwat, and others participated in the visarjan. During the event, Pawar and Bhagwat approached Shetty and requested him to surrender. In response, Shetty grabbed a large stone and threatened all the policemen, warning them not to arrest him or face consequences.

One police officer recounted, "The accused also threatened the members of the mandal, warning them not to assist the police, or he would harm them as well. During this confrontation, Pawar attempted to catch him, but Shetty struck him with the stone, injuring his hand. Despite his attempt to flee, Constable Bhagwat managed to catch Shetty." SI Sawant said, "The accused had been a fugitive in the molestation case for over a year."