4 convicted,but let off on good behaviour bond

According to the prosecution,on July 16,2006,the convicts trespassed into SRPF personnel Anil Mane’s flat in Bhimashankar Bhavan on the Pune-Solapur road around midnight. “They were armed with sticks and rods. Anuradha started abusing Mane’s wife Vimal and even beat her asking why they had occupied her flat. When Vimal’s son and father-in-law intervened,they beat them too. They dragged the three out of the flat,locked the main door and restrained them from entering again,” police said. Anil was on duty in Kolhapur when the incident took place. Kaveri is the wife of Anil Mane’s brother.

In her defence,Anuradha,a teacher,told the court that Anil had entered into an agreement to sell the flat to her but did not hand over the possession though she had paid him Rs 6 lakh. Anil refuted the allegations saying he was not paid the agreed sum. The court held the accused guilty of offences under Sections 448 (trespass),341 (wrongful restraint),427 (mischief causing damage) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

However,the court said in its order,“The dispute is on account of an immoveable property,which may be resolved in future considering the close relations between the parties. If the accused are sentenced then there is very less probability of the same being ultimately ending up amicably. Therefore,offenders must be given opportunity to reform.”

The court ordered them to jointly pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to Vimal. The convicts will be prosecuted on failing to honour the bond.