Woman assault case: Bureaucrat’s son, 2 aides get bail after SIT applies only bailable sections

On Sunday, Thane Police Commissioner Jaijeet Singh had formed an SIT headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Amarsinh Jadhav to probe the said matter. The SIT arrested Gaikwad, and his aides Romil Patil and Sagar Shedge on Sunday night under Sections 279 (rash driving), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 338 (causing grievous hurt), 504 (insulting someone intentionally to provoke them) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

The three were produced in the court on Monday and SIT officials sought their 10-day custody on grounds that they wish to question them separately for further evidence.

The lawyer representing victim Priya Singh argued that the accused attempted to kill the woman and yet the police have not invoked Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC in the case. Priya Singh’s lawyer demanded that her statement be recorded again.

The public prosecutor argued that investigation in the case is underway as per charges levelled against the accused in the case. Whereas, the lawyer representing the accused argued that since the sections are bailable, his clients are entitled to it.

After hearing all the parties, the court granted the three judicial custody and subsequently allowed their bail application and granted them bail on a Rs 15,000 bond each.

As per the victim, Priya Singh, 26, Ashwajit Gaikwad had assaulted her and tried to mow her down with his SUV in Thane when she went to meet him at a hotel near Ghodbunder Road on December 11. Earlier, talking to the media from the hospital, Priya Singh, a beautician and model, had said she was in a relationship with Ashwajit, now knowing that he was married. When she got to know, he told her that he and his wife had been separated.

Priya Singh further said Ashwajit Gaikwad told her that he wanted to marry her but when she went to meet him, he was with his wife. She said when they began arguing, Ashwajit Gaikwad got aggressive and assaulted her. She alleged when she went to get her bag from his car, Ashwajit, his friend Romil Patil and driver Sagar Shelke drove off, nearly mowing her to death.

After the matter generated political heat, the police arrested Ashwajit Gaikwad and his two aides based on Priya Singh’s complaint and also seized their SUVs—Scorpio and Land Rover Defender.