Clerk takes on corporator, sends him to hospital

Political rivalry over illegal constructions in Pimpri-Chinchwad behind assault, says injured independent corporator Bhapkar

Political rivalry over illegal constructions in Pimpri-Chinchwad behind assault, says injured independent corporator Bhapkar
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Knocked about: Corporator Maruti Bhapkar in hospital. Pic/Atul Marwadi

Independent corporator Maruti Bhapkar from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) was allegedly assaulted by a civic official yesterday morning at Chinchwad. The attack was reportedly an outcome of a political rivalry over the issue of illegal construction going on in the area.

The worker, who allegedly attacked Bhapkar, has been identified as Anil Dhondiba Raut (50), a resident of Renuka Apartment in Mohan Nagar, Chinchwad. Bhapkar has lodged a complaint in this regard with the Chinchwad police.

Raut works as an administration clerk in the library of PCMC. He reportedly has three departmental enquiries pending against him. In all the three cases, disciplinary action against Raut is awaited, said sources from the PCMC.

When asked about the incident, Bhapkar said, "I was reading newspapers on Wednesday morning when Raut came to my house at around 10.30 am. He started abusing me and then pushed me. We both fell down after which he started kicking me.u00a0 A few days back, I had a spat with political opponents from Shiv Sena and Bhartiya Janata Party workers over the issue of illegal constructions in the area. Raut is associated closely with this group of political workers and on their instigation, he has attacked me."

Bhapkar received injuries on his knees and chest. He was admitted to YCM Hospital by his supporters Nana Kharat and Asif Shaikh.

Out of danger
Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Anand Jagdale informed media persons that Bhapkar has received some injuries but is out of danger.

Meanwhile, Raut has refuted all the charges against him. He said that Bhapkar had attacked him in the morning because of his increasing closeness to Bhapkar's political opponents. By late Wednesday evening, Pimpri police were in the process of registering a cross complaint filed by Raut.

Manav Kamble, a prominent social activist from Pimpri-Chinchwad, has condemned the attack on Bhapkar and demanded that PCMC commissioner Ashish Sharma initiate an inquiry against Raut.