Youngsters who assaulted morning walker wanted money; police recover vehicles used in crime

Roychoudhary, a resident of the Sayali Garden society in Aundh, was left critically injured after the assault that near Parihar Chowk in the early hours of a Thursday. Police have said that the attackers had consumed alcohol and were roaming the streets looking for money to buy more liquor and hence they attacked the victims. A probe is on to know whether they committed similar offences in the past.

As per police, Roychoudhary was on his morning walk when, around 5.15 am, the suspects intercepted him near the tennis court in Parihar chowk. They allegedly demanded money from him. When he refused, they allegedly attacked him on the head with a blunt object. Roychoudhary suffered a severe injury to his head. He became unconscious and collapsed on the spot. A local newspaper vendor informed his family members. Soon, he was rushed to a private hospital. He succumbed to the injuries at the hospital and, as per his family’s wishes, his organs were donated.

Senior Inspector Shailesh Sankhe, in-charge of the Chatushrungi police station said, “On Sunday, we seized an autorickshaw and a two wheeler used by the suspects at the time of the crime.”

When asked about the investigation till now, Sankhe said, “We have till now arrested a 19-year-old man and have detained three minors aged 16 and 17. We have launched a search for the two more suspects whom we have identified.”

Inspector Yuvraj Nandre, the investigation officer of the case said, “The probe till now points to robbery as the primary motive behind the crime. After we detained the minor and produced them before the Juvenile Justice Board, we moved an application that they be tried as an adult in the case.”

When asked about the police presence in the area, Inspector Nandre said, “We have stepped the patrolling by the designated beat marshals assigned to the area.”

Two other assaulted

On the same morning, the group similarly attacked a cyclist identified as Shreyas Satish Shetty (30) of Khadki when the group intercepted Shetty and demanded  money from him. They also tried to snatch money from his pocket. One of them attacked Shetty with an iron rod, but he resisted and managed to flee from the spot.

Not very far away, the assailants also attacked Ramsobitkumar Mandal (39) with an iron rod for money. Mandal was injured and admitted to a hospital for treatment. Mangal works as a security guard at a construction site in Parihar chowk area, police said.

Shetty lodged the first information report (FIR) in this case at the Chaturshringi police station under sections 397, 307, 341 of the Indian Penal Code.

The arrested accused has been identified as Jay Sunil Ghengat (19), a resident of the Kasturba Gandhi Vasahat in Aundh. The three minors held in this case were shifted to the observation home as per orders of the juvenile justice board, police said. Police said Ghengat has a criminal history and was arrested in the past also in an attempted murder case.

The incident has caused outrage among the residents of Aundh who have held protests and candlelight vigils demanding security for the residents and morning walkers.