Atrocity Act slapped against 22 for ‘assaulting’ corporator

THE Pimpri police have slapped the Atrocity Act against as many as 22 people, including two corporators, of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) for alleged murder bid and use of derogatory remarks against corporator Geeta Mancharkar. They were booked under the Act after Mancharkar filed a complaint against them.

Mancharkar was allegedly assaulted during a zonal committee meeting of the PCMC in Kharalwadi area. Mancharkar was allegedly beaten up after she opposed certain “wrongdoing” in her ward, police said. Mancharkar had lodged a complaint against two corporators and four others. Following this, police arrested the six, including Congress corporators Kailas Kadam and Sadguru Kadam, both brothers. After a cross-complaint, Mancharkar’s husband, advocate Sushil Mancharkar, and four others too were arrested. All were first sent to police custody and then to magisterial custody.

On Monday, Geeta, who was recuperating in YCM Hospital, complained to police that those who attacked her and some others had used derogatory remarks. Following this, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohan Vidhate said they applied the Atrocity Act against 22 people, including two corporators. “Six have been arrested,” he said.

Meanwhile, the court last week reserved its order on Sushil’s bail plea. The court was to pronounce the order on Tuesday. His lawyers said because of court holiday, the order would be pronounced on December 28.