27 October,2023 06:49 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
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In Thane, Maharashtra, a 45-year-old man was taken into custody on Friday for his alleged attempt to assault a senior engineer from a state-run power company with a sickle, as reported by the local police, stated a report in PTI.
According to the report, the arrest was carried out under section 353 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to "assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty," along with other relevant legal provisions. This incident unfolded in the Ganeshpuri area and was confirmed by Assistant Police Inspector DT Sonke.
The situation began when a team of employees from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), led by Deputy Executive Engineer Avinash Katakwar, visited Waret to collect overdue payments, the report further stated.
Their target was Kishore Yehswant Patil, who owed outstanding dues amounting to Rs 75,000. It was during this interaction that the accused became agitated and attempted to launch an attack on the engineer, brandishing a sickle. Swift action by the MSEDCL team led to the apprehension of Patil, who was subsequently arrested, the report stated.
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According to agency reports, the police registered an offence against six persons for allegedly assaulting police officers & obstructing the efforts of a state-owned power company to install an electricity meter in Thame. The incident happened on Friday in the Bhayanderpada area of Thane district.
Reportedly, the incident came to light following a complaint filed by a police constable. The police registered a case under Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code which pertains to assault or the use of force to hinder a public servant in the execution of their duty along with other relevant legal provisions.
In the backdrop of this incident lay a court directive stemming from a writ petition. This directive mandated officials from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to be accompanied by a police team during the installation of an electricity meter at a property owned by a charitable trust.
As the MSEDCL team, accompanied by the police, proceeded with the meter installation, a gathering of roughly 10 to 15 individuals congregated at the location. According to an official, this group of people initiated a verbal assault against the MSEDCL team.
"When the police tried to prevent their interference, the accused individuals allegedly escalated the situation to a physical altercation, hindering the MSEDCL representatives from completing the meter installation," the police official added. Up to this point, no arrests have been made in connection with this incident.
